Development Plan For Cyprus

Press, Volume C, Issue 29600, 24 August 1961, Page 12

Development Plan For Cyprus

(N .Z.P.A.-Reuter—Copyright) , NICOSIA, August 22. Archbishop Makarios yesterday announced a £61,970,000 five-year development plan for Cyprus, which, he said, was the biggest in the island’s history.

The Archbishop, making his first address to the House of Representatives as President of the Cyprus Republic, said the 1962-66 plan would include more than £11,000,000 for harbour development.

There would also be more than £10,500,000 for electrification, £5,500,000 for roads, £3,000,000 for tourism, £2,000,000 on health, and nearly £1,500,000 on telecommunications. President Makarios told the House of Representatives that Cyprus “still bears unfortunately the mark of a bad legacy,” reported the British United Press. “Cyprus’s backbone is agriculture, but it is underdeveloped, and its contribution to the national income is comparatively low,” he said.

“To rectify this the Government intends consolidating agricultural holdings, psoviding land for landless farmers, carrying out exten-

sive land reclamation, introducing a system of rotational cultivation and, with the

help of the United Nations, establishing an agricultural research college.” Trade Balance Reviewing the island’s unfavourable balance of trade. President Makarios said the gap between imports and exports was “extremely wide and has risen in recent years to a proportion of 50 per cent, of the level of imports.” After outlining long-term economic policy one of encouraging investments in spheres likely to have an effect on the balance of payments, President- Makarios declared, “The Republic’s Government is greatly concerned over the possibility of the United Kingdom joining the European Common Market, as this will have repercussions on our export trade with Britain.” The Cyprus Government was following developments closely and "will take all necessary steps for safeguarding Cyprus interests.”