Nicosia: Strengthening cooperation between Cyprus and the United States in the rapidly evolving technology sector was highlighted during a roundtable discussion held at the Presidential Palace. This event brought together representatives of American technology companies operating in Cyprus, senior officials of the Cypriot government, and representatives of the U.S. Embassy in Nicosia.
According to Cyprus News Agency, the discussion was attended by the Deputy Minister to the President of the Republic of Cyprus, Irene Piki, the Deputy Minister of Research, Innovation and Digital Policy, Dr. Nicodemos Damianou, and the Chief Scientist for Research, Innovation and Technology, Demetris Skourides. They exchanged views with industry representatives on the prospects of further strengthening Cyprus' technology ecosystem and deepening collaboration between the public sector and the technology industry.
Opening the discussion, Piki underlined the strong ties between Cyprus and the United States, noting that the relationship is stronger than ever across various fields of cooperation. She emphasized that this partnership is built on trust, shared values, and a growing convergence of interests, with the technology sector representing one of the most promising areas for further collaboration.
Addressing the representatives of the American companies present, Piki thanked them for their continued confidence in Cyprus. She acknowledged the long-standing presence of some companies and expressed the government's hope to attract more U.S. companies to the island in the coming years.
Piki also referred to international outreach initiatives undertaken by the government to promote Cyprus as an investment destination. She mentioned the President's roadshow in the United States last year, highlighting the important support provided by the U.S. Embassy during the event's organization, and announced plans for another roadshow to the United States this year.
Highlighting the rapid development of the technology sector in Cyprus, Piki cited recent data confirming its growing economic significance. She noted that the ICT sector contributes at least 11% to Cyprus' GDP and accounts for around 6% of total employment, with many jobs being high-paid positions.
Dr. Nicodemos Damianou, the Deputy Minister of Research, Innovation and Digital Policy, emphasized the importance of strengthening cooperation between government and industry as Cyprus progresses with its digital transformation agenda. He identified the need for more interaction and direct input from the industry as essential for moving forward with the government's roadmap for digitizing the public sector and economy.
Chief Scientist Demetris Skourides highlighted the strategic importance of closer cooperation with industry, particularly in the context of emerging technologies and artificial intelligence. He explained that Cyprus' forthcoming national AI strategy is designed to encourage strong collaboration between the public sector and industry and will soon be released for public consultation.
Speaking on behalf of the United States, the Charg© d' Affaires ad interim at the U.S. Embassy in Nicosia, Daniel Mangis, underscored the importance of the dialogue between government and industry. He noted that the presence of two deputy ministers and the chief scientist at the Presidential Palace signifies the Republic's commitment to this broader discussion and the shared ambition to capitalize on the rapid growth of the digital economy.
Mangis also pointed out that American technology companies continue to play a leading role in global innovation and are uniquely qualified to help Cyprus thrive as it moves towards a digital future.