Editing Crete (section)

===Development===
The construction sector in Crete responded well during the pandemic and has come out strong in the post-recession recovery period. Total construction spending recovered and is expected to peak a record high (approximately 8% higher than 2019 average levels) signalling consistent expansion in construction projects and real estate investments in Crete.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Thomas |first=Stavros |date=2022-01-20 |title=Construction Activity in Crete - Key Trends And Prospects to 2022 |url=https://arencos.com/construction-activity-in-crete-key-trends-and-prospects-to-2022/ |access-date=2023-01-16 |website=ARENCOS}}</ref> The evolution of the private sector in Crete is tightly linked with the demand for tourism-related investments. Moreover, the recovery of the tourism sector is expected to lead to further growth in housing prices and rental demand.

Newspapers have reported that the Ministry of Mercantile Marine is ready to support the agreement between Greece, [[South Korea]], [[Dubai Ports World]] and [[China]] for the construction of a large international [[container (cargo)|container]] port and [[free trade zone]] in southern Crete near [[Tympaki]]; the plan is to expropriate {{Convert|850|ha|acre|abbr=on}} of land. The port would handle two&nbsp;million containers per year, but the project has not been universally welcomed because of its environmental, economic and cultural impact.<ref name=ncp>[http://www.no-container-port-in-timbaki.net/facts_en.php No Container Transshipment Hub in Timbaki] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070123131440/http://www.no-container-port-in-timbaki.net/facts_en.php |date=23 January 2007 }}. Retrieved 27 May 2007.</ref> As of January 2013, the project has still not been confirmed, although there is mounting pressure to approve it, arising from Greece's difficult economic situation.

There are plans for underwater cables going from mainland Greece to Israel and Egypt passing by Crete and Cyprus: [[EuroAfrica Interconnector]] and [[EuroAsia Interconnector]].<ref name="EA">{{Cite web |url=http://www.euroasia-interconnector.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/EuroAsia_Interconnector_Project_and_Progress_English.pdf |title=EuroAsia Interconnector Project and Progress |access-date=16 February 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180216204614/http://www.euroasia-interconnector.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/EuroAsia_Interconnector_Project_and_Progress_English.pdf |archive-date=16 February 2018 |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref name="EAF">{{Cite web|url=https://www.euroafrica-interconnector.com/|title=EuroAfrica Interconnector|language=en-GB|access-date=18 April 2019}}</ref> They would connect Crete electrically with mainland Greece, ending energy isolation of Crete. At present Greece covers electricity cost differences for Crete of around €300&nbsp;million per year.<ref name="CRE">{{Cite web|url=https://www.cretalive.gr/crete/hmerida-gia-thn-hlektrikh-diasyndesh-euroasia-interconnector-meso-ths-krhths|title=Η ηλεκτρική διασύνδεση EuroAsia Interconnector θα εξασφαλίσει ενεργειακά την Κρήτη|website=Cretalive|date=7 February 2018 |access-date=18 April 2019}}</ref>