AmCham Cyprus successfully hosted a distinguished Breakfast Series event featuring the Deputy Minister of Research, Innovation, and Digital Policy, Dr. Nicodemos Damianou. The gathering included key figures such as Mr. Shane Siegel, Deputy Chief of Mission of the US Embassy in Cyprus, and Mr. Philokypros Roussounides, Secretary-General of the Cyprus Chamber of Commerce and Industry, alongside AmCham Cyprus members.
In his opening address, AmCham Cyprus President, Mr. Georgios Georgiou, underscored the longstanding commitment of U.S. companies to Cyprus, highlighting their pivotal role in fostering the country’s digital transformation over the decades. Mr. Georgiou commended the Cypriot Government and the Deputy Minister for their ongoing efforts to deepen collaboration between the U.S. and Cyprus, particularly in the fields of innovation, research, digital policy, and technological advancement.
He further emphasized AmCham Cyprus’s dedication to strengthening economic ties between the two nations, noting that a significant proportion of the organization’s members are involved in tech or tech-related sectors. Mr. Georgiou reaffirmed AmCham’s commitment to leveraging its expertise and influence in advancing bilateral cooperation in these critical areas.
The Deputy Minister, during his keynote presentation, outlined the strategic plans and progress of his ministry, shedding light on recent engagements with U.S. companies in both Cyprus and the United States. Notably, he reflected on the positive outcomes of a recent visit to Silicon Valley, where the President of the Republic of Cyprus, Mr. Nicos Christodoulides, and he engaged with leading multinational technology firms. The Deputy Minister shared the enthusiastic interest expressed by these companies in exploring opportunities in Cyprus and hinted at plans for a follow-up visit to the U.S.
Dr. Damianou elaborated on the three strategic pillars guiding the ministry’s initiatives:
- The flourishing tech sector, recognized as the fastest-growing segment of the Cypriot economy.
- The dynamic start-up ecosystem, which has achieved notable global rankings.
- The robust research landscape, with Cyprus being recognized as a strong innovator for the third consecutive year.
A vibrant discussion followed the Deputy Minister’s remarks, during which participants exchanged ideas on enhancing public-private sector collaboration, shaping forward-thinking policies, and unlocking new opportunities. The dialogue also touched upon accelerating the digitalization of the economy, implementing projects under the Recovery and Resilience Plan, fostering regional cooperation, and further optimizing the business environment for research, technology, and start-up ventures, including artificial intelligence.
AmCham Cyprus remains steadfast in its mission to drive economic relations between the United States and Cyprus, and this event reaffirmed its pivotal role in fostering innovation, partnership, and growth.
