Nicosia: Deputy Minister of Research, Innovation and Digital Policy Nicodemos Damianou announced on Thursday that the number of Information and Communications Technology (ICT) professionals in Cyprus has almost doubled over the past ten years, a development attributed to targeted policies.
According to Cyprus News Agency, Damianou highlighted these advancements during his opening remarks at the 2nd Tech Summit 2025. He emphasized the role of targeted policies designed to attract and retain talent, which complement initiatives aimed at attracting technology-focused companies. Damianou also referenced the “Minds in Cyprus” initiative, which seeks to encourage the repatriation of Cypriot professionals from abroad, particularly those in the technology sector.
Damianou underscored the pivotal role of technology in enhancing the development and competitiveness of states and organizations in the artificial intelligence (AI) era. He noted that Cyprus is currently home to over 800 technology companies, contributing nearly 15% to the Gross Domestic Product. He stressed that technology is a key element in improving quality of life and is a fundamental pillar of Cyprus’s vision for 2035. This vision includes establishing Cyprus as a hub for innovation, technology, and digital entrepreneurship, an objective that the government and the President have prioritized.
Furthermore, Damianou pointed out the need for significant investment in digitizing the public sector, which has lagged in development. He stated that their initiatives aim to strengthen Cyprus’s competitiveness as a destination for innovation and technology while facilitating a substantial digital transition of the state.
The Deputy Minister also discussed the importance of investing in AI, noting that it is a high priority. He mentioned that by the end of the year, a new Artificial Intelligence Strategy is expected to be finalized, which will include measures to integrate AI into both the public and private sectors. In the interim, the Digital Assistant, the first application of Generative AI in the public sector, continues to be updated with new topics, including recent additions related to tax issues affecting businesses.