A task force set up to decide on the former state fair grounds in Nicosia is considering five options of which two appear to enjoy most support. Phileleftheros reported on Tuesday,
The task force is made up of personalities from the public and private sector. The government is understood to favour an innovation zone, modelled on those in other European countries. Given interest shown by strategic investors, it is also open to business operating a modern exhibition space.
Two other scenarios under consideration is turning the former state fair into a national youth centre or a thematic park. A fifth option is creating the infrastructure for the film industry, including film studios.
The task force is expected to submit its proposals to the Finance and Energy Ministries in March or April.
The government’s plans were revealed yesterday during a discussion in the House Finance Committee of a request from the Finance Ministry to release €120,000 to pay for feasibility studies and a town planning study on the use of the wider area of the state fair.
Opposition MPs said that the government has delayed in upgrading the facilities at the fair and questioned the need for new studies as others had been carried out in the past.
An Energy Ministry official said that studies date to 2003, 2005 and 2012 and had looked at the possibility of creating a modern exhibition space and boutique hotel. Plans have changed, he noted.
He said that government services had not been transferred to the state fair because of disdagreement of Engomi Municipality and the economic crisis.
MPs asked for further information and postponed their decision on whether to release the funds to next week.
