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Cyprus is historically a trading nation.
A small island in the Eastern Mediterranean,
it was strategically placed to benefit from an active trading
population.
Cyprus'
name derives from Cuprum or Cyprium which in trading terms was one of
the most valuable and malleable metals in the world, copper. It
may be no coincidence that the copper coloured soil of Cyprus on its
rich alluvial plains produces one of the best strains of potato in the
world. Agriculture was one of the islands strongest exports with the
grape producing a decent enough wine and since the days of the crusades
a desert wine unique to the island known as Commanderia, after the
knights Templar who invented and drank it in their commandery at
Kollossi
We joined Europe in 2004
The Euro replaced the Cyprus pound in January 2008
and now, only a few years
later, you can buy imported French, Spanish or Portuguese wine for a
fraction of the price of a local one. (I have seen South African
wine cheaper!) Commanderia is prohibitively expensive,
imported French orange liqueur is cheaper than Filfar, butter has
gone up to 10 times the price than when it was imported from far
away New Zealand - 26p a pack Now it is imported from within the EU
and is at least 2.50- 3.50 a pack (a smaller pack) The 'hormone
free' tomatoes are being irradiated and so are we.
I tried all over Spain and
Portugal to buy Halloumi, Lountza, Commanderia, anything Cypriot.
They didn't even know what I
was talking about.
I had a bee in my bonnet so I tried many and loud.
I was offered provolone
instead of Halloumi
I have heard that some have been paid to uproot their
vines.
I know the delightful apricots are all gone.
Lountza is now injected with water.
The Cyprus stock market is now strong
and vibrant.
How?
Focus
on foreign trade
| Below
are links to other Cyprus trading sites
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