The number and range of companies choosing to locate their regional or global headquarters in Cyprus have risen steadily in recent years. The trend is set to continue because of growing demands from global regulators that companies have a physical presence and substance in the country where they are registered – and both are easily established in Cyprus.

Member of the EU since 2004 Cyprus is a perfect hub for businesses having a very efficient and established regulatory structure that offers fast and easy business establishment, IP protection (along with International agreements), investment opportunities, schemes to promote entrepreneurship and many more.

It came as no surprise that Cyprus’ location played a leading part in their decision. In one direction, the island is the eastern gateway into the EU’s market of more than 500 million people. In the other, it provides an ideal springboard into the evolving markets of the Middle East and Asia and enjoys excellent relations with the oil and gas-rich Gulf states.

Cyprus’ location also means that it enjoys business-friendly time zones. Companies can do business with the East in the morning, Europe throughout the day and with the West in the afternoon.

But as companies told Investment Watch, there was more to their decision to base here than location, location, location. It’s the whole package that Cyprus offers. It has a business-friendly environment that is efficient, transparent and well-regulated. Operational costs are substantially lower than in mainland Europe and the island’s economy is growing at a faster rate than any of its EU partners apart from Ireland.

Cyprus’ corporate tax regime is highly favourable and there are tax breaks for expatriate executives. The island’s human capital is another major attraction. Cyprus has one of the highest per capita number of graduates in the world and most are multi-lingual.

Business executives that have chosen to live here with their families often say the low-crime rates played a part in their decision. Now they have added reassurance that their loved ones will be secure when they are on business trips abroad. Cyprus is the safest country in the world for young people, according to a list published by World Health Organisation in August which ranked 184 countries.

Cyprus is increasingly becoming an Investment Company hub in the Mediterranean as various types of Investment Firms (especially Forex Companies and Binary Option Companies) set up their premises and trade taking advantage of Cyprus relaxed regulatory environment, attractive low tax system and low set up costs.

Finally, companies were keen to point out that they see themselves in a mutually beneficial partnership with Cyprus.