Rvo,  Tuesday, 12 September 2017

 

In each country, there are rules of conduct that you must take into account when doing business. Below you will find some rules of conduct for the entrepreneurial culture of Cyprus.

Contact with Cypriots

Cypriots are not very accessible. Professional contacts in an informal atmosphere (such as a business lunch) can quickly become amicable.

It is relatively easy to make direct contact with the company's management or key government officials.

Good personal contact and a relationship of trust can be decisive in a business decision.

Business lunches and dinners are commonplace where a large number of different traditional dishes are served.

Cyprus is small, so if you contact several business partners, there is a good chance that they will know each other.

Be careful in your vocabulary when talking about the separation of the island. For example, there is no' border' between the parts but a' buffer zone' or' green line.' The designation of the area is also sensitive.

Clothing

In the capital Nicosia, the clothing is often formalized

In Limassol, the most important business city, ties are less common, especially in summer.

In evening affairs, women will not be dressed too fancy.

Language and level of education

Business correspondence is usually in English.

Cypriot businessmen's language skills are excellent.

Many businesspeople are well versed in the Arab world and in the former Eastern Bloc countries.

Cypriot businesspeople are well educated and have often studied abroad (mostly in the United Kingdom).

Appointments

Come on time to meet new contacts, but don't be surprised if it all takes a bit longer.

It is best to confirm an appointment by phone, one or two days in advance.

In the northern part of Cyprus there is no winter time, in the south there is. Please take this into account with agreements. This article of is based on . Translated from the Dutch language by Jos Deuling.