Cyprus has a geostrategic position and the parameters to become a regional hub on technology and innovation, Deputy Minister for Research, Innovation and Digital Policy, Nicodemos Damianou told the 14th Nicosia Economic Congress.
Addressing the congress, Damianou recalled that the EU in 2021 has drafted a strategy to become the world’s main data and connectivity hub, adding that Cyprus has the geostrategic position to play a substantive role in the context.
Cyprus, he added, wishes to boost investments in data connections and data infrastructure while this could also apply in strengthening space technologies associated with artificial technology.
Damianou stressed that the ICT sector in the last ten years has the highest growth with a contribution of 10% in Cyprus’ GDP.
He added that the research ecosystem has also developed and now has the basic structures and performance that enable it to move forward.
The aim is for this ecosystem to move to the next maturity level with the results’ commercialisation
, he said.
Moreover, Damianou outlined Cyprus’ goal to become the first country covered by a fibre optic network in two years time, a target that would be officially announced during April.
However, the Research DepMin pointed out that Cyprus lags in digital skills, adding that companies are lagging in adopting certain technologies.
Cyprus, should improve on its digital performance to be taken seriously, he stressed.
Among other things, Damianou referred to the steps taken over the modernisation of the public service and the roll out of digital services for citizens and businesses.
‘We are continuing targeted actions for the country’s digital maturity,’ he said, recalling that the government has earmarked 23% of the Recovery and Resilience plan totalling pound 1.2 billion.
The Deputy Minister said a large project is underway to define the technical infrastructure of the country promoting an advanced digital state.
Digital public services will gradually become available via the government’s digital gate
way and the Digital Citizens application, he said, noting that the digital signature and digital document authentications will yield significant changes in the public digital landscape.
Source: Cyprus News Agency