Nicosia: More than 750 Cypriot professionals from across the globe have registered on the "Minds in Cyprus" platform, while employers in Cyprus have posted over 400 specialized job vacancies, as revealed by Irene Georgalla, Head of the Office of the Deputy Minister to the President.
According to Cyprus News Agency, Georgalla presented the progress of the initiative at the World Conference of Overseas Cypriots, highlighting that within a year, "Minds in Cyprus" evolved from a strategic announcement into a policy delivering tangible results. The initiative is strengthening links between the diaspora, the Cypriot economy, the labor market, and the country's development trajectory. Since the launch, members of the Cypriot diaspora have submitted more than 300 questions, proposals, and suggestions.
The initiative, announced by the President of the Republic in London in May 2025, is being implemented through the coordinated efforts of relevant Ministries, Invest Cyprus, and the Cyprus Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCCI), under the coordination of the Presidency. Georgalla stated its objective is to reconnect the international experience and expertise of Cypriots abroad with Cyprus' new development model, which is based on knowledge, extroversion, and the creation of high added value.
"Attracting and reconnecting talent requires coherence, continuity, and, above all, national credibility," Georgalla emphasized, noting that Cyprus operates in an environment marked by geopolitical tensions, rapid technological advances driven by artificial intelligence, and intense global competition for talent. She pointed out that talent follows not only economic growth but also trust, stable rules, and a clear direction.
Georgalla mentioned that the information and communications technology sector and the digital economy contribute approximately 14% of Cyprus' GDP, while the country's research and innovation ecosystem comprises 12 universities and more than 15 research institutes and centers of excellence. Professional, financial, and technology services continue to expand, creating new opportunities for highly skilled professionals.
Referring to the mission to London last May, organized as a career day, she noted that participation exceeded expectations, attracting hundreds of Cypriot professionals based in the United Kingdom. More than 20 major Cypriot companies and organizations participated, providing opportunities for direct professional contacts and exploration of specific employment opportunities.
The invitation extended to the diaspora, Georgalla stressed, is based not only on emotional ties with the homeland but also on genuine and credible professional opportunities. She clarified that the initiative targets not only those considering returning to Cyprus but the Cypriot diaspora as a whole.
For those wishing to repatriate, the goal is to offer meaningful employment and relocation opportunities, while for those choosing to remain abroad, the aim is to create opportunities for networking, collaboration, and meaningful participation in Cyprus' economic and development path.
Georgalla also mentioned the introduction of a targeted tax incentive for repatriates, which she described as one of the initiative's key policy tools.