Month: September 2022

Quectel Wireless Solutions, a global IoT solutions provider, today announces that it has released its new SC680A smart module which features broad connectivity options including LTE Cat 6, Wi-Fi 802.11ac and Bluetooth 5.0 with powerful system performance and rich multimedia functions. The SC680A smart module is targeted towards mid-tier IoT devices including POS and payment terminals, industrial handhelds for logistics and warehousing, in-vehicle infotainment and dashcam solutions as well as micro-mobility applications and small electric cars.

 

Quectel’s new SC680A LTE smart module (Photo: Business Wire)

 

“We are excited to introduce another highly integrated smart module which gives global customers more flexibility in their IoT device designs,” said Norbert Muhrer, President and CSO of Quectel. “It enables a variety of industrial and consumer IoT verticals with high data rate and powerful camera features. The SC680A also has a long lifecycle through to 2028 so that it can satisfy the need for extended hardware availability and help the IoT sector create future-proof IoT solutions.”

 

Utilizing the Qualcomm QCM4290 platform, Quectel’s SC680A module adopts a customized 64-bit ARM v8.0 compliant octa-core Kryo 260 application processor for increased speed and robust on-device performance.

 

The SC680A module supports multimode LTE Cat 6 cellular networks with short-range wireless communication technologies such as Bluetooth 5.0 and Wi-Fi 802.11ac and upgradability to Wi-Fi 6. The L1+L5 dual-band multi-constellation and high-precision GNSS (GPS/ GLONASS/ BDS/ Galileo/ NavIC/ QZSS) receiver is also embedded for optimized positioning services.

 

The Quectel SC680A contains an embedded Android 12 operating system which allows for future iterative upgrades to Android 13 or 14 and are suitable for Google GMS certification. Equipped with a powerful Adreno 610 GPU, the module supports a maximum of four cameras and up to 25 MP dual cameras to work simultaneously.

 

In order to meet the different needs of various regions around the world, the SC680A family offers multiple variants:

 

The SC680A-NA for North America. Samples of the SC680A-NA module will be available in late October 2022.

 

The SC680A-WF (Wi-Fi & Bluetooth only) for global markets will be available in late October 2022.

 

The SC680A-EM for EMEA, Korea, South Asia, India, Latin America, Australia, New Zealand and South Africa with sample availability expected at the end of September 2022.

 

Another variant SC680A-JP is under planning for the Japanese market.

 

Designed with pin-to-pin compatibility with Quectel’s previous generation smart modules such as the SC600Y/ SC600T/ SC606T/SC686A series, the SC680A series can help IoT developers upgrade their smart terminals easily and accelerate the time-to-market of their devices.

 

Quectel is uniquely positioned to help build a smarter world with broad portfolio of IoT solutions and one-stop services. In addition to smart modules spanning across every market segment from entry level to premium tier, Quectel also offers a comprehensive range of high-performance antennas. In particular, Quectel’s range of Combo antennas, which integrate multiple technologies such as 4G, Wi-Fi and GNSS, offer a highly flexible and reliable antenna solution for outdoor applications.

 

The SC680A module will be on display at MWC Las Vegas on Booth No W1.520, September 28-30 2022 with general availability during October.

 

About Quectel

 

Quectel’s passion for a smarter world drives us to accelerate IoT innovation. A highly customer-centric organization, we are a global IoT solutions provider backed by outstanding support and services. Our growing global team of over 4,000 professionals sets the pace for innovation in cellular, GNSS, Wi-Fi and Bluetooth® modules, antennas and IoT connectivity. With regional offices and support across the globe, our international leadership is devoted to advancing IoT and helping build a smarter world.

 

Source: Cyprus News Agency

Cyprus’ policy to provide incentives and tax breaks to high-tech companies is bearing fruit, as a total of 7,000 work permits have been granted to persons with highly specialised skills, Evgenios Evgeniou, President of Cyprus’ Investment Promotion Agency (Invest Cyprus) has said.

 

Cyprus has enacted a series of tax breaks in a bid to attract high tech companies in the island.

 

“The number of work permits issued in 2022 to highly specialised persons for companies approved by the Deputy Ministry of Research Innovation and Digital Policy and were processed through the Ministry of Commerce’s fast track service amounts to 7,000,” Evgeniou said during a press conference on the latest developments in the investment funds sector.

 

He added that “these persons live, work and get paid here, consume and send their children to schools, contributing to the Cypriot economy.”

 

Evgeniou highlighted that it is important for this ecosystem to grow further and acquire a critical mass which would be linked with the local labour market.

 

The ecosystem, “will begin transferring knowledge through these people to the Cypriots, will connect with our schools and universities.”

 

“This is something we are building gradually, is growing and if we stay focused, I believe we will yield greater results in the future,” Evgeniou added.

 

Furthermore, he also pointed out the efforts to attract technology companies are yielding particularly positive results, recalling data by the FDI Intelligence which show an impressive increase in investments to software and information technology close to 600% in the first half 2022 compared with the respective period of 2019.

 

Source: Cyprus News Agency

We wanted to present together the eight package of sanctions. Last week, Russia has escalated the invasion of Ukraine to a new level. The sham referenda organised in the territories that Russia occupied are an illegal attempt to grab land and to change international borders by force. The mobilisation and Putin’s threat to use nuclear weapons are further steps on the escalation path.

 

We do not accept the sham referenda nor any kind of annexation in Ukraine. And we are determined to make the Kremlin pay for this further escalation. So today, we are together proposing a new package of biting sanctions against Russia.

 

The first part concerns the listing of individuals and entities that will be presented by the HR/VP, Josep Borrell, in a moment.

 

I want to focus on the second part of these sanctions that will further restrict trade. By that, we isolate and hit Russia’s economy even more. So we propose sweeping new import bans on Russian products. This will keep Russian products out of the European market and deprive Russia of an additional EUR 7 billion in revenues. We are also proposing to extend the list of products that cannot be exported to Russia anymore. The aim is here to deprive the Kremlin’s military complex of key technologies. For example, this includes additional aviation items, or electronic components and specific chemical substances. These new export bans will additionally weaken Russia’s economic base and will weaken its capacity to modernise. We will also propose additional bans on providing European services to Russia, and a prohibition for EU nationals to sit on governing bodies of Russian state-owned enterprises. Russia should not benefit from European knowledge and expertise.

 

The third complex is concerning Russian oil. As you know, Russia is using the profits from the sale of fossil fuels to finance its war. Concerning Russian oil, you might recall that we have already agreed to ban seaborne Russian crude oil in the European Union as of 5 December. But we also know that certain developing countries still need some Russian oil supplies, but at low prices. Thus, the G7 has agreed in principle to introduce a price cap on Russian oil for third countries. This oil price cap will help reduce Russia’s revenues on the one hand and it will keep global energy markets stable on the other hand. Today, in this package, here, we are laying the legal basis for this oil price cap.

 

And my last point that I want to focus on is: We are stepping up our efforts to crack down on circumvention of sanctions. Here, we are adding a new category. In this category, we will be able to list individuals if they circumvent our sanctions. So for example, if they buy goods in the European Union, bring them to third countries and then to Russia, this would be a circumvention of our sanctions, and those individuals could be listed. I think this will have a major deterring effect. Our sanctions have hit Putin’s system hard. They have made it more difficult for him to sustain the war. And we are increasing our efforts here and moving forward.

 

Source: Cyprus News Agency

The bicommunal Technical Committee for Cultural Heritage continues uninterrupted its efforts to rescue and promote the cultural heritage of Cyprus, Greek Cypriot co-chair of the committee, Sotos Ktoris, has told the Cyprus News Agency (CNA).

 

He was replying to a CNA question about the projects which were completed recently, are underway and are being scheduled, in the framework of the committee’s work.

 

Ktoris said that conservation works were completed these days at Orounta mosque as well as some particular conservation works at Ayios Panteleimonas in Myrtou, while during the next weeks works will be completed at Ayios Synesios church in Rizokarpaso as well as archaeological sites in Soli and Vouni.

 

At the same time, he added, conservation works have begun and continue at the venetian walls in Famagusta – Arsenal bastion – the Ottoman baths in Larnaca, the mosques at Kalo Chorio in Larnaca, Maroni and Lefkara, the church of Panayia Gypsou, the church of Ayios Georgios in Goufes, the church of Prophet Elias in Stilli, the church of Ayios Antonis in Massari, the church of Ayios Georgios in Ardana and Panayia church in Sysklipos. Also works for rescuing the cultural heritage are underway in Panayia church of Sykada in Karpasia and Ayios Charalambos church in Neo Chorio Kythreas.

 

Ktoris noted that during the next period of time works are expected to begin at Ayios Georgios church in Prastio of Famagusta and Ayios Georgios in Spathariko, while there will be a call for tenders for conservation works at the Venetian aqueduct in Lefka.

 

Also the process of drafting studies for the mosques in Terra, Alektora and Avdimou in Limassol, the churches of Ayios Sergios and Vakhos in Neta, Ayios Georgios in Flamoudi, Ayios Elias in Famagusta, Ayia Paraskevi also in Famagusta, Ayios Georgios in Limnia, Ayios Ioannis in Argaki continues, as well as the process for studies for the aqueduct in Afania and the Diamante bastion at the Venetian walls in Famagusta.

 

Ktoris said that during the fourteen years that the Committee is operating financing comes mainly from EU funds, while there is also a significant contribution by the local communities as well as from EVKAF and the Church of Cyprus.

 

Source: Cyprus News Agency

President of the Cyprus Investment Funds Association (CIFA) and the Cyprus Investment Promotion Agency (Invest Cyprus) Andreas Yiasemides and Evgenios Evgeniou respectively said they were optimistic over the Investment Funds’ sector despite geopolitical tensions due to the war in Ukraine.

 

Despite the declining trend in assets under management globally, optimism is driven by recent decision of Saudi Aramco to establish an investment fund in Cyprus and MUFG Investor Services to set up a new operational centre in Cyprus, two cases which are consider as a “show case” for the sector.

 

“As CIFA we believe in the resilience and the momentum of the sector which continued to grow steadily despite challenges,” Yiasemides told a press conference.

 

According to the data of the Cyprus Securities and Exchange Commission for the first quarter of 2022, the investment funds’ assets under management amounted to €11.1 billion while the number of licensed entities reached 322, marking an increase of 39.7% and 53.3% respectively compared with the pre-Covid pandemic era.

 

Yiasemides acknowledged that geopolitical tensions and the war in Ukraine have impacted the sector globally, with Cyprus in the first quarter of 2022 registering a decline of 3.9% in AUM, the first reduction after 25 consecutive quarters of increase.

 

He stated that investment funds have invest in the Cypriot economy a total of €2.5 billion in fields such as shipping, renewables, education, technology and real estate.

 

“There are many challenges and many prospects,” he said, noting that Cyprus can become a hub for investment funds wishing to exploit investment opportunities both in Europe as well as the regions of the Eastern Mediterranean and Middle East.

 

On his part, Evgeniou expressed satisfaction over the investment fund sector growth in the last years.

 

He also said that the sector has a tangible and quantifiable contribution to the Cypriot economy which is reflected in investments in the island, the creation of jobs and increased revenues for the state which emerge mainly through the diversification of the country’s growth model.

 

He also said that the investment funds sector contributes to the transformation of Cyprus’ professional services sector.

 

“It would not be an exaggeration to say that investment funds is a new and promising aspect of the services sector,” he added, noting that the sector is one of the three pillars of Invest Cyprus’ action to attract foreign direct investments in Cyprus.

 

Source: Cyprus News Agency

The European Commission has adopted the European Maritime, Fisheries and Aquaculture Fund (EMFAF) Programme for Cyprus, to implement the EU Common Fisheries Policy and EU policy priorities outlined in the European Green Deal, Farm to Fork and Biodiversity strategies, according to a press release on Wednesday.

 

“The programme will make an important contribution to the implementation of the Common Fisheries Policy in the Mediterranean and to the protection of the marine environment, while supporting the industry’s resilience and profitability,” said Commissioner for Environment, Oceans and Fisheries, Virginijus Sinkevičius.

 

The EU contribution for the Cypriot Programme Fisheries 2021-2027 accounts for 38.8 million euros, reaching 54.7 million euros together with national funding allocations.

 

The programme will support investments in fishing vessels to improve safety, health, hygiene, working conditions, energy efficiency and decarbonisation.

 

The funding will also contribute to the acceleration of the digitalisation of fisheries control, in particular as regards fisheries management and control through the development and use of control IT tools. The latter will help Cyprus comply with the landing obligation (concerning the end of wasteful practices).

 

Furthermore, investments in aquaculture for the diversification of farmed aquaculture species will contribute to the reduction of the environmental impact of the sector.

 

The programme will also support the objectives of the Biodiversity Strategy for 2030 and the Cypriot Prioritised Action Framework through marine environment actions, such as the development of the management of marine protected areas, the monitoring of coastal habitats and species and the promotion of scientific knowledge for issues related to the Habitat and Birds Directives.

 

Source: Cyprus News Agency

The 9th United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE) Ministerial Conference for the Environment for Europe, that will be held in Cyprus from 5 to 7 of October 2022 is probably the largest high level summit ever hosted in Cyprus, Minister of Education, Sports and Youth, Prodromos Prodromou, has said, speaking at a press conference ahead of the event, together with Minister of the Agriculture, Rural Development and Environment Costas Kadis.

 

They both stressed the importance of the organisation of this summit for the first time in Cyprus and in the wider Mediterranean region.

 

The UN Ministerial Conference, which meets every five years, began 30 years ago and is being held a year later this year after being postponed to 2022 due to pandemic restrictions in 2021.

 

The event, which this year focuses on the Environment, is held with the cooperation of the UN Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE). A total of 63 countries will attend with more than 70 high-ranking officials from international organisations from the Mediterranean, the Middle East, Asia and Europe. The registered participants have exceeded 1,000. In addition to the ministerial meetings that will take place during the summit, there will be 40 parallel meetings many of which will be held at the Cyprus Institute.

 

In his statements at the press conference, the Education Minister said that it is “indisputably a very important event for Cyprus, but also internationally, for the sustainability of the planet”.

 

He added that beginning of October Cyprus will be on the focus of the international community by hosting this summit which revolves around issues of sustainability and the environment.

 

The Environment Minister said that the main objectives of the Republic of Cyprus are on the one hand the successful organisation of such an important and far-reaching summit and on the other hand the drafting of important conclusions, which will contribute to the protection of the environment and strengthen our effort for sustainable development in Europe.

 

He also noted that it is the first time that the summit is organised in the Mediterranean area.

 

Kadis said that it is an honor that Cyprus was selected as the host of the 9th summit. Referring to the experience of his participation in the previous UNECE Summit, which took place in Georgia in 2016, he noted that “the declarations of that Summit were a point of reference for the countries of the UNECE when forming their own national policies”.

 

“We aspire to have an even more expanded representation and very important results,” he concluded.

 

Source: Cyprus News Agency

Secretary General of the League of Arab States, Ahmed Aboul Gheit, and the Ambassador of the Republic of Cyprus to the Arab Republic of Egypt, Polly Ioannou, have discussed the Cyprus problem, relations between Cyprus and the Arab League as well as regional developments.

 

According to a press release issued by the Foreign Ministry, Ioannou presented, on September 26, her credentials to Gheit, during a private meeting at the headquarters of the League in Cairo.

 

The Secretary General welcomed Ioannou and wished her every success in carrying out her diplomatic mission. On her part, Ioannou conveyed the personal greetings of the President of the Republic, Mr. Nicos Anastasiades, to the Secretary General himself, and expressed certainty for the continuity of the cordial cooperation between Cyprus and the League.

 

During the meeting, both sides reaffirmed their willingness and discussed ways to strengthen the relations between Cyprus and the Arab League. Furthermore, the recent regional developments which affect the Arab world and Cyprus were discussed. Finally, Ioannou informed Aboul Gheit about the latest developments in the Cyprus issue, thanking him for the principled stance of the League in finding a just and viable solution that is based on the relevant resolutions of the United Nations.

 

Cyprus has been divided since 1974, when Turkey invaded and occupied its northern third. Repeated rounds of UN-led peace talks have so far failed to yield results. The latest round of negotiations, in July 2017 at the Swiss resort of Crans-Montana ended inconclusively.

 

Source: Cyprus News Agency