The Korea Herald

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Cyprus capital controls could be lifted in a month

By Korea Herald

Published : March 29, 2013 - 20:28

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NICOSIA, Cyprus (AP) ― There were long lines of anxious people but no sign of trouble as banks in Cyprus opened Thursday for the first time in nearly two weeks, following an international bailout that sought to prevent the country from financial ruin.

The government has imposed a daily limit on how much people can withdraw to stop a run on its banks ― the first such action in the 14-year history of the euro currency. Cypriots took the measure in their stride, aware that with their economy teetering on the edge of collapse, any undue panic would make the situation worse.

“Everything has been paralyzed. Besides my business being already low, now no one thinks of buying flowers,” said flower shop owner Christos Papamichael who was among about 30 people waiting patiently for bank doors to open.
Customers queue outside a Bank of Cyprus Plc branch ahead of opening in Nicosia, Cyprus, Thursday. (Bloomberg) Customers queue outside a Bank of Cyprus Plc branch ahead of opening in Nicosia, Cyprus, Thursday. (Bloomberg)

“People think of anything (else) besides flowers, they’ve got other priorities. But now there’s a half an hour delay and we’re just waiting here.”

The limits on transactions, have been imposed initially for seven days and are being reviewed daily. According to Central Bank assessments, the restrictions are to be fully lifted in a month, Foreign Minister Ioannis Kasoulides said.

“Gradually, probably in a period of a month, or something according again to the estimates of the Central Bank and according to the developments, the restrictions will be fully lifted,” he said.

“If there (are) withdrawals from the banks, they may happen, but let me tell you once again there will be no bank run.”

Guards from private security firms reinforced police outside some ATMs and banks in the capital, Nicosia, but no problems controlling crowds was reported.