On Tuesday 16 September, the President of Cyprus, Nicos Christodoulides, presented over 75 projects totalling more than €230 million which will transform Paphos. This meeting with local authorities was part of an initiative launched in December 2024, which aims to establish a direct dialogue between the government and local communities.
Tourism and culture: investing in Paphos Marina
The district's main infrastructure project will be the construction of a new marina — a modern harbour with an area of 165,000 m², designed to accommodate 1,000 yachts and boats. This project will strengthen Paphos's image as a tourist destination and create hundreds of new jobs. The president also announced plans for a park and amphitheatre in Achelia, the digital modernisation of the archaeological museum and improvements to the pedestrian bridges in Chrysopolitissa.
In the education sector, new schools will be opened and existing ones modernised
The Paphos school network will be expanded with the opening of six new educational institutions offering optional education. Significant investments will be made to modernise existing schools: €2 million has been allocated to renovate Timi Primary School and €4 million to Chloraki School. Plans are also in place to expand the technical school and gymnasium in Embe.
In terms of healthcare, the hospital will be modernised and new clinics will be built
Particular attention will be paid to Paphos Hospital. The emergency department is already being expanded, with €3 million allocated for this purpose from the budget. In the coming months, a day hospital will open and the paediatric and gynaecology departments will be renovated at a cost of €5 million. A new pulmonology clinic will also be created at a cost of €100,000.
Social projects and care for the elderly
Plans are in place to build a modern long-term care and activity centre for elderly residents of the district, as well as a nursing home in Chloraka. These initiatives aim to improve the quality of life for the older generation by offering them medical care as well as opportunities for leisure and socialising.
Infrastructure and environment: roads, water and safety
The largest infrastructure projects include the construction of the Paphos-Polis motorway, with additional access via Mesoya, as well as new bypass roads and the expansion of major thoroughfares. To solve the water supply issue in Kissonerge, a €14.7 million mobile desalination plant will be installed. A modern fire station costing €6.7 million is to be built in Pye. Additionally, the government has confirmed plans to modernise the Andreas Papandreou Air Base in collaboration with the United States.
Community development and nature conservation
Small villages in the district will begin improving their public spaces and main streets. €1.5 million has been allocated to Inia and €2.5 million to both Kelokedara and Kouklia. The completion of the Tremifousa-Mesoya bridge will cost €3 million. A sustainable development project for the Akamas National Forest Park is also set to begin soon, involving the establishment of an on-site coordination office.
Christodoulidis says that the aim of these initiatives is to improve the daily lives of residents and to transform Paphos strategically into a centre for tourism, education, healthcare and environmental sustainability. These projects are expected to take several years to complete, forming part of a broader programme for the balanced development of Cyprus' regions.