The Chief Scientist of Cyprus for Research, Innovation, and Technology, Demetris Skourides, and the High Commissioner of Cyprus to Singapore, Nikos Panayiotou, concluded a series of high-level meetings in Singapore this week. The engagements, aimed at showcasing Cyprus’s research and innovation ecosystem, coincided with their participation in the Asia Innovation and AI Summit 2024, hosted by The Economist.

According to a press release from the Office of the Chief Scientist for Research, Innovation and Technology, Cyprus's presence comes amid efforts to establish collaborations with leading innovation nations, including Japan, the US, UAE, Saudi Arabia, France, Israel, India, and Singapore. The country is implementing its AI strategy as part of its Vision 2035, an ambitious plan to position Cyprus as a regional hub for innovation, technology, and research.

During the summit, Skourides and Panayiotou held strategic discussions with prominent figures in the field, including Singapore’s Minister for Communications and Information, Josephine Teo, and Japan’s Vice Minister of International Affairs, Yoichi Iida.

Minister Teo outlined Singapore's strategic use of AI in sectors like science, drug discovery, and industry, noting the country hosts over 1,100 startups and 150 research teams focused on AI.

The Cypriot delegation was welcomed by leaders such as Dr. Sintia Teddy-Ang of AI Singapore. Skourides highlighted Cyprus's readiness in AI, while Dr. Teddy-Ang underscored Singapore’s AI experience and the pivotal role of AI Singapore, launched in 2017 as a national priority.

Discussions also explored partnerships between Cyprus's Research and Innovation Foundation and ASEAN-based entities to adopt best practices.

A significant outcome was the dialogue with Ashish Kapashi, CEO of ASEAN Scale Hub, on fostering two-way opportunities for Cypriot companies to enter the ASEAN market and for ASEAN startups to use Cyprus as a gateway to Europe. Skourides was invited to join the ASEAN Scale Hub Initiative, estimated to unlock a $10 trillion market by 2030.

“These strategic meetings provided a platform to showcase Cyprus's research and innovation strategy, exchange best practices, and explore collaborations in AI and emerging technologies,” Skourides said. He expressed confidence that by 2025, Cyprus will host startups and research organizations from Singapore, particularly in areas like quantum computing.

Highlighting Singapore’s ranking among the top seven global innovation leaders and its fourth-place position in the Global Innovation Index, Skourides emphasized Cyprus’ progress toward its Vision 2035. The initiative has already secured agreements with nations like Japan and Israel and laid the groundwork for collaborations with the US, UAE, Saudi Arabia, India, and Singapore.

“These partnerships are crucial to establishing Cyprus as a regional innovation and technology hub,” Skourides concluded.