Welcoming address
by the President
of the LIMASSOL CHAMBER OF COMMERCE & INDUSTRY
Mr. Costas Galatariotis
Ladies & Gentlemen,
On behalf of the Limassol Chamber of Commerce & Industry, it is with much pleasure that I have
accepted the invitation of the organizers Messr. Zomidea Events Ltd, for a brief introductory
address in the opening ceremony of CypGasTech 2014.
I would first of all like to welcome to Limassol the exhibitors from abroad, whose presence here is
indicative of the increasing interest of upstanding companies from a number of countries in the
business opportunities generated in the whole spectrum of infrastructures and supporting
services, resulting from the discovery of natural gas in Cyprus’ Exclusive Economic Zone.
We likewise welcome the Cypriot and other Cyprus-based exhibitors. We are sure that their
presence, in addition to underlining their readiness to actively take part in this new sector of the
Cyprus economy, will also be beneficial in terms of networking with potential business partners
from abroad.
Ladies & Gentlemen, our Chamber is included in the official supporters of CypGasTech 2014. This
choice of ours is surely representative of the importance we attach to this initiative, which
highlights the pivotal role Limassol is called upon to play in relation to the emerging Cyprus
hydrocarbons industry. Indeed Limassol, thanks to its port and other infrastructures and facilities,
as well as the services it is capable of rendering, cannot but be at the forefront of this new effort
of our country, in a sector which until a few years ago was seen, if not as non-existent, certainly as
completely inaccessible in view of the then technological capacities.
This year’s CypGasTech 2014 is taking place as exploration and drilling work in Cyprus’ exclusive
economic zone is well in progress. Following the drilling by Noble Energy in Block 12, the drill ship
of the Italian-Korean consortium Eni-Kogas started, 20 days ago, the first drilling procedure at the
Onasagoras gas field in Block 9. We are hopeful that we shall soon have the first positive results,
such that will confirm that Cyprus is acceding to the privileged group of hydrocarbons producing
countries.
Concluding this brief address, I would like to thank the organizers for their initiative and wish the
best to all participants of CypGasTech 2014.