Within 2024 20 new digital services will be delivered, Deputy Minister of Research, Innovation and Digital Policy, Dr. Nicodemos Damianou said on Tuesday. He also said that about the fibre optics network that the aim is for Cyprus to become by 2026 the first country in Europe to achieve 100% population coverage across the entire spectrum of ultra-high-speed connectivity, mobile and fixed.

With digital policy, cybersecurity and research and innovation as its pillars, the goal is the transition to a "modern digital state", said Damianou noted at the press conference for the presentation of the Deputy Ministry's work during the first year of governance and the main actions to be launched within 2024, on Tuesday.

"We will strengthen the growth prospects and competitiveness of the Cypriot economy and improve the daily life of citizens", he said, expressing the ambitious, as he described it, strategic goal of making Cyprus a regional centre of innovation and technology.

Digital Policy

Regarding the actions for digital policy, the Deputy Minister said that these consist of e-government, upgrading the country's digital infrastructure and connectivity, digital skills of citizens and professionals and strengthening the digital maturity of businesses.

For e-government, he noted that, during the first year of governance, the Deputy Ministry developed a number of digital services, such as the online application for the Minimum Guaranteed Income, the Electoral Register and the National Solidarity Fund Platform, as well as a platform for non-binding referendums.

Within 2024, according to the Deputy Minister, 20 new digital services will be delivered, including applications for the issuance of Certificates of Military Status and the issuance and renewal of Identity Cards and Passports.

Damianou referred extensively to the "Digital Citizen" project, on the basis of which, as he said, the entire range of digital services of the state will be gradually and progressively implemented. "Through the new government portal, gov.cy, mobile application and the electronic identity and signature, the aim is to create the conditions so that every transaction and contact of the citizens with the state can be done electronically, easily, quickly and securely", he stressed, adding that a cooperation agreement with the Ministry of Digital Governance of Greece will soon be signed for this purpose.

Cyprus to become the first EU country with 100% coverage at ultra-high speeds

Regarding the expansion of fibre optics network, with state subsidies, and the financial support of households for the transition to high speeds, the Deputy Minister said that the aim is that by 2026 "Cyprus will become the first country in Europe to achieve 100% population coverage across the entire spectrum of ultra-high-speed connectivity, mobile and fixed".

He then described the plans of the Deputy Ministry for the use of cutting-edge technologies, such as space technologies, artificial intelligence and blockchain, while he also made a reference to the Smart Cyprus project, which is a holistic approach for the implementation of smart city solutions throughout the country, coordinating ongoing initiatives in various municipalities.

Strengthening digital skills

"No digital solution can be developed without the necessary expertise and no application will have a meaningful impact if citizens do not have the basic digital knowledge to use it", he said.

He presented the training sessions carried out in 2023 and early 2024. He also spoke at length about the ICT Re-Up Skilling pilot programme announced in February, which through intensive 10-week training in data analytics gives science graduates the opportunity to pursue a career in IT.

Cybersecurity

Noting the importance of cyber security, the Deputy Minister presented the series of actions implemented in 2023 in cooperation with the Digital Security Authority (DSA), which include the launch of a horizontal cybersecurity programme for the public sector, the preparation of a draft law for harmonisation with the European NIS2 Directive and the designation of DSA as the National Cybersecurity Certification Authority.

Research and Innovation

Continuing, the Deputy Minister referred to the significant steps of progress and the dynamics of the Cypriot ecosystem. H noted the fact that "our country maintains its position for the second consecutive year in the Strong Innovators of Europe".

The new Strategy for Research and Innovation was drafted and approved by the Council of Ministers in December, which sets as key priorities the creation of conditions for the further development and strengthening of the ecosystem's capabilities, the commercialisation of innovative products and services, as well as the strengthening of extroversion.

Among others, he said that contracts were signed for projects worth around €27 million in sectors with particular growth potential, such as technology, agri-food, health and energy, resulting in 317 new jobs, while a remarkable amount of private capital was raised, amounting to 18% of the total funding.

He noted that a strong emphasis is given on attracting investment by providing incentives, such as the innovation certificate for SMEs, noting that 38 certificates have been approved out of 51 applications submitted, as well as through the management of applications for a StartUp Visa.

In conclusion, the Deputy Minister highlighted the enormous importance of the digital transition for the government and President Nikos Christodoulides himself, assuring that the Deputy Ministry will continue to make every effort to achieve its objectives and contribute to the substantial strengthening of Cyprus' prospects of becoming a regional centre of innovation and technology.

Asked about this, he said that Cyprus' geostrategic position is ideal to its development as a regional hub, noting that countries in the region that may be further ahead are not necessarily competitors but potential partners. He said Cyprus has good connectivity with 11 undersea cables, noting that an emphasis on cutting-edge technologies, such as AI, Blockchain and space technologies is given.