Prime Minister Ünal Üstel has vowed to further improve conditions and create new opportunities for young people, women and persons with disabilities in the new year.
He said that there was much incomplete work the government needed to focus on.
Üstel was speaking at the launch of the 2024 Young Entrepreneur Grant Support Program carried out in collaboration with the Prime Ministry and the Development and Economic Cooperation Office (KEI) that operates under the Turkish Embassy in Lefkoşa.
Prime Minister Ünal Üstel, who attended the launch of the 2024 Young Entrepreneur Grant Support Program, on Friday, reminded the public of the government’s promise to make 2024 the year for women, youth, and disabled citizens.
He stated that they are continuing their efforts in this direction.
“Keeping our promise to the people since the first day we formed the government, we continue to provide suitable loans and grants to our youth, women, farmers, the business community, and all sectors,” he said.
Stating that the government’s primary goal was to strengthen the economy, Prime Minister Üstel said, “We are mobilizing all our resources to contribute to the socio-economic development of the TRNC, establish sustainable businesses, support employment, reduce the trade deficit, increase production, and make our country an attractive center for entrepreneurs.”
Üstel mentioned that they have initiated various programs to support young and female entrepreneurs who have been unable to enter the workforce due to various challengers.
“We continue to contribute to those with entrepreneurial spirit who want to renew and improve their businesses.”
Referring to the “2023-2024 Entrepreneurship Grant Program,” which is one of the entrepreneurship grant programs funded by the Republic of Türkiye since 2016, Üstel noted that 415 entrepreneurs have so far benefited from education, while another 160 entrepreneurs received grant support to date, creating employment for approximately 350 Turkish Cypriots.
Emphasizing that they have launched a new support package worth ₺20m with the financial support of the Development and Economic Cooperation Office (KEI), Üstel shared the details of the grant scheme.
He highlighted that the program, including education, counseling, and grant support, prioritizes technology, traditional businesses, and export-oriented projects for citizens born in 1987 and later.
Üstel also said that the government has initiated the necessary work to make the TRNC a preferred center for all regional entrepreneurs in the Eastern Mediterranean.
He underlined the need for political stability and stable relations with Türkiye for economic stability.
Expressing confidence in realizing all pending projects that have not been implemented or completed due to various reasons, Üstel said, “We achieved great things in 2023. We achieved important accomplishments. In 2024, we will continue to work, produce results, and systematically accomplish what needs to be done. Our actions will speak louder than our words.”
The premier also gave a message to the opposition, stating that the government had much work to do and did not have time to lose in early elections.
Meanwhile, the deadline for the applications for the grant support program, ends on March 11.