Cyprus is the technological capital of the Mediterranean, Deputy Minister of Research and Innovation Kyriacos Kokkinos said on Thursday.
He was speaking to reporters after a meeting with the Pafos Chamber of Commerce and Industry during which research, innovation and how the digital transformation is used by businesses, as well as the business ecosystem of Pafos, in order to transform research and innovation into competitiveness of the economy and entrepreneurship, were discussed.
Speaking to reporters, Kokkinos said that “we have agreed on specific actions of collaboration where the business community will be paired with the research and academic community,” while aiming to accelerate the digital transformation for the Pafos business community.
Asked to comment on Pafos’ effort to develop into a smart city, the Deputy Minister of Innovation replied that Pafos is a smart city, noting that a lot has already been done.
He added that Pafos has a balanced development with an emphasis not only on tourism and land development, but also on higher education, since in 2023 the American University of Beirut will start operating, along with other private institutions. There is, he continued, a system of innovation and start ups, which is growing in the area and the real responsibility of the State and the Municipality of Pafos is to encourage and support them.
He also pointed out that Cyprus in general is the technological capital of the Mediterranean. There is a large community of digital units and scientists working in Pafos to provide services outside Cyprus, he said.
On his part, the president of PCCI, Yiorgos Mais, said that the announcement of some programs related to subsidies for upgrading technology is imminent, stating that this is very essential and beneficial for businesses and society.
Source: Cyprus News Agency