Historical Overview & Activities of the COUNCIL OF COMMERCIAL AGENTS
THE FIRST GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE COUNCIL OF COMMERCIAL AGENTS TOOK PLACE ON MARCH 7, 1987 and elected the following (first) Board of Directors
| 1987 - 1989 | ||
| Glafkos Kakoulis | President | |
| Melis Violaris | ||
| Kriton Foitidis | ||
| Lakis Koniotis | ||
| Andreas Machairiotis | ||
| Sp. Kokkinos | Rep. of Registrar of Companies | |
| Parashos Nikolaou | Rep. of Ministry of Commerce & Industry |
The Council of Commercial Agents operates based on the Commercial Agents Law 76 of 1986, which was published in the official Gazette of the Republic in June 1986, when it also came into force.
The efforts for the legal regulation of the profession, which were ultimately successful, were made by the Association of Commercial Agents, which today celebrates 60 years of existence. The relationship between the two bodies, SEA and SEAK, is excellent, and the cooperation is complete.
According to provision 3 (1) of the law, the Council responsible for the registration of commercial agents and the issuance of a license to practice the profession consists of 7 members as follows:
- The representative of the Ministry of Commerce and Industry,
- the Registrar of Companies or their representative,
- five members elected at a General Assembly by commercial agents, who must themselves be commercial agents.
CURRENT BOARD OF DIRECTORS
| 2023 - 2025 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Andreas Theocharides | President | |
| Panayiotis Kapnisis | ||
| Georgios Morfitis | ||
| Nikolas Philippou | ||
| Achilleas Michailidis | ||
| Loukis Symeonides | Rep. of MECI | |
| Eirini Mylona Chrysostomou | Registrar of Companies |
Since the beginning of its operation until today, the Council has issued 1,513 professional practice licenses to either natural or legal persons. However, many of them, either due to the crisis or other reasons, have closed or ceased their commercial agency activities. Today, the number of active members amounts to 354. Unfortunately, despite the existence of the legislation, there are still many who work without the required license.
From the establishment of the Council until 2015, the duties of Secretary were performed by Ms. Stavroula Dimitriou, who is no longer alive.
She served the Council for 28 years with prudence, dedication, and confidentiality.
In 2015, Ms. Dimitriou retired, and the Council was integrated into the Cyprus Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCCI). The duties of Secretary were assumed by CCCI officer Ms. Yianna Pelekanou.
In December 2018, the services of Legal Advisor Mr. Costas Hatziioannou were terminated, and a new Legal Advisor, Mr. Xenios Xenopoulos, was appointed.
The matters that have concerned or continue to concern the Council include:
- Public and semi-governmental organization tenders
- Amendment of legislation
- Registration of new members
- Removal of members for various reasons
- Hiring of a Secretary
- Creation and upgrade of the SEAK website
- SEAK’s collaboration with JCC
PUBLIC AND SEMI-GOVERNMENTAL ORGANIZATION TENDERS
This matter has concerned the Board of Directors in several of its meetings. The crucial issue was that among the documents required to be submitted by bidders, the annual professional license of the commercial agent should also be included.
Several meetings were held in the past with the General Accountant of the Republic, who heads the Public Procurement Authority, and considerable correspondence was exchanged between the Council and various involved bodies, with the involvement of the Ministry of Commerce being both evident and significant.
The actions taken by the Ministry of Commerce were substantial and important. Following meetings with the involved bodies (Minister, General Accountant) and considering the positions/opinions of both the Public Procurement Authority and the Legal Service, it became clear that the Commercial Agents Law could not be applied to public tenders.
However, by reintroducing the issue, the Board of Directors decided that a renewed effort should be made, highlighting the increased illegality, and that if such regulation were implemented, all companies would seek registration to secure the relevant license.
SEAK ARCHIVE
After the renovation of the CCCI building, where the Council has been housed since its establishment, the Board of Directors, with the approval of the competent Ministry, decided to dispose of a significant amount of material and to store important documents (member registry, minutes, etc.) in the State Archive.
ABOUT MEMBERS
Today, the number of commercial agents registered in the Council’s registry amounts to 354. However, despite the existence of the legislation and the mandatory registration of commercial agents, many practice the profession illegally.
According to provision 9 of the basic law:
"Anyone who violates any of the provisions of this Law is guilty of an offense and, upon conviction, is subject to imprisonment for a period not exceeding six months, or to a fine not exceeding five hundred euros, or to both such imprisonment and fine."
HONORED FORMER PRESIDENTS
The Council decided to honor the following former SEAK presidents for their long-standing, valuable, outstanding, and selfless contributions, awarding them plaques AS A TOKEN OF HONOR:
- Kriton Foitidis (also served as president of IUCAB)
- Achilleas Michailidis
- Georgios Morfitis
DECEASED FORMER PRESIDENTS
Panos Panayiotopoulos
Michalis Kouroupis