Nicosia, Cyprus. Cypriot business organisations expressed sorrow over the death of prominent entrepreneur Constantinos Shiacolas, describing him as a distinguished figure in the country’s construction and investment sectors.
Tributes from business organisations
The Federation of Employers and Industrialists (Oev) said Shiacolas had been recognised for decades across the broader construction industry and had earned international respect.
The Cyprus Chamber of Commerce and Industry (Keve) said its president, board and staff expressed deep sorrow, stating in a post on its platform that Shiacolas “left an indelible mark in the field of construction, investment and in general in Cypriot business”. The chamber also conveyed condolences to his family and loved ones.
Education and early career
Shiacolas was born into a family with a strong presence in the construction sector. He studied civil engineering at the National Technical University of Athens and initially worked as a design engineer in Cyprus’ public works department before moving to the private sector.
Work with Joannou & Paraskevaides group
His professional path was closely linked with the Joannou & Paraskevaides group (J&P Overseas), where he worked for more than 49 years and served as a member of the board of directors.
He joined the company in 1968 as a site engineer and worked on major projects in Oman, Libya, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and Cyprus.
J&P Overseas became one of the most internationally active Cypriot companies during the Middle East construction boom of the 1970s–2000s, undertaking large-scale infrastructure, airport, desalination and energy projects and employing thousands of workers worldwide, with Shiacolas among the executives associated with its expansion abroad.
Role in Saudi Arabia
In 1977 he was appointed country manager in Saudi Arabia, overseeing expansion that brought revenues to 1.4 billion dollars by 1992.
What part of Constantinos Shiacolas’ career do you consider most significant?
