Describes how widely e-Commerce is used, the primary sectors that sell through e-commerce, and how much product/service in each sector is sold through e-commerce versus brick-and-mortar retail. Includes what a company needs to know to take advantage of e-commerce in the local market and , reputable, prominent B2B websites.
Last Published: 7/29/2019

Republic of Cyprus:

The Ministry of Energy, Commerce, and Industry (MECI) is expanding e-commerce in Cyprus as an innovative way of doing business on the island.  Household internet access in 2018 was 86 percent, a 7 percent increase from 2017, higher than  the EU average of 82 percent, and the world average of 56.1 percent.  It is also higher than the average in the developed world, which was 81 percent.  Cypriot consumers are slowly warming up to the idea of e-commerce and the Office of the Commissioner of Electronic Communications and Postal Regulations (OCECPR) is promoting the concept ardently.  While web-based trade remains relatively small, it is growing slowly but surely. 
Most companies have their own website.  Online banking is becoming increasingly popular and Cypriots are becoming accustomed to this channel for financial services.  The Government is also improving its websites and offers more services and information through the Web, including through its recently created government gateway portal Ariadni.  For the Government’s main website please see here.
 

Area Administered by Turkish Cypriots:

E-commerce is limited but growing.  Online banking services are advanced, as competition is fierce from Turkey-based banks.  Most "government" offices and "ministries" have a website and some are starting to offer services, however, in general the Turkish Cypriot authorities continue to lag behind the private sector in this regard.

Prepared by our U.S. Embassies abroad. With its network of 108 offices across the United States and in more than 75 countries, the U.S. Commercial Service of the U.S. Department of Commerce utilizes its global presence and international marketing expertise to help U.S. companies sell their products and services worldwide. Locate the U.S. Commercial Service trade specialist in the U.S. nearest you by visiting http://export.gov/usoffices.