J&amp;P’s projects in the greater Middle East region were crucial for the recovery of the Cypriot economy, which had collapsed in the wake of the Turkish invasion of 1974, by providing work for thousands of unemployed Cypriots. Economic recovery was also furthered by Ioannou’s instrumental and decisive company policy initiative whereby recruitment of any employee was conditional on accepting payment of two thirds of their salary in Cyprus instead of in the foreign countries where the company was active. In this way, substantial transfers of necessary capital were funnelled back into Cyprus, invigorating the ruined economy of the island.