Cypriot president faces scrutiny over alleged capital flight Measures include lifting a ban on casinos to attract tourism and tax incentives encouraging businesses to pump cash back into the Cypriot economy. A government spokesman likened the growth policies to the clear-up operations following a natural disaster. "The government, having inherited an atomic bomb, tried to deactivate it and in doing so spared this country from total bankruptcy," said Christos Stylianides. It is now dealing with a post-earthquake period with the aim to kickstart the economy. Cyprus has clinched a one-year extension on a lender-imposed budget target, but is still seeking to push the new deadline, of 2017, back again. Meanwhile it emerged that no government help will be given to Russians facing deep losses on their bank deposits in Cyprus, according to prime minister Dmitry Medvedev's second-in-command, as he voiced disapproval of the island's status as a tax evasion destination. Russians hold an estimated €19bn on the Mediterranean island, and stand to lose more than half their holdings over €100,000 under the terms of the bail-out.