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Address by the Minister of Commerce, Industry and Ôourism Mr. Yiorgos
Lillikas at the 5th Conference on Communication and Information
Technology in the Arab World, 4-6 September, 2005

Distinguished guests,

Ladies and Gentlemen,

It is really, a great honour for me to be here today, to address such a distinguished audience on the occasion of the 5th Conference on Communication and Information Technology in the Arab World.  It is also a great honour for me to chair this session and I would like to take this opportunity to extend to you my sincere thanks for the invitation.

The 21st century is envisaged to be the era for the information society technologies. The production of knowledge and innovation will be one of the basic elements which will determine the economic development of the world and of each individual country.  Historically the contribution of the Arab world in science and technology is considered to be of great importance and I am sure that equally important will be your contribution to the future global progress and development.

Cyprus´ strategic location, at the crossroads of three continents and its close proximity to the busy trade routes, linking Europe with the Arab World and the Far East, has been a major factor shaping its history throughout the centuries.

In recent years, this strategic location together with the excellent political and economic relations with our neighbours, our highly developed socio-economic infrastructure, the excellent telecommunications, the sophisticated banking system, the satisfactory state of its infrastructure in transport and energy, the well-educated labour force, the wide range of high quality professional services and the favourable economic and business environment, made Cyprus an ideal Centre for business activities.

After our accession to the European Union, our vision is the development of such initiatives that will make Cyprus a bridge, between the European Union and the Middle East. With our policy and our initiatives we want to create a relationship of cooperation, which will reflect European interests in the wider region and will also meet the expectations and hopes of neighbouring countries. This combination of legitimate interests will bring important political and economic benefits to the area.

Our new Strategic Development Plan aims mainly at achieving a satisfactory rate of sustainable development and at gaining the biggest possible benefit from the accession of Cyprus to the European Union, thus contributing to a greater convergence with the EU member-states.

To achieve its strategic objectives, my Government places special emphasis to the extension and the upgrading of infrastructures in the fields of energy, research, telecommunications and transport and to the connection of Cyprus with the Inter - European Transport Networks.

Strong encouragement is given to the area of research both within and outside businesses as the present level of research and innovation is considered to be one of our weaknesses for further development.

In view of the above, the Government of Cyprus aims at creating the necessary infrastructure for research and attracting researchers from big Research Institutes or Research Units of multinational enterprises and reputable Universities, thus placing Cyprus on the world map of research.

For the implementation of the Government policy with regard to the enhancement of research and the creation of high technology industries in Cyprus, the Government of the Republic through the Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Tourism has already taken the following initiatives:

1.      Under an agreement signed with the Harvard School of Public Health (HSPH) the Cyprus International Institute for the Environment and Public Health has been established in Cyprus as an independent non-profit entity and in association with HSPH envisages to be a leading regional research and academic institution in the fields of environment and public health.  I am certain that this Initiative will hold benefits not only for Cyprus and HSPH but also for Cyprus´ neighbouring countries since the environment does not have borderlines and the solutions in the pollution of the environment must have a regional, if not a global application.  The same applies for the field of public health, as the results and the benefits that will arise from the research in this sector at the Cyprus International Institute for the Environment and Public Health will be shared with all other countries for the benefit of their people.  I hope to see you or others Ministers from your Government to the Regional Ministerial Meeting of October 10th in Cyprus.

2.      It is considering the proposal from the Government of India for establishing a technology park specializing on information technology, aiming to create the right research environment for attracting international research companies in this field.

3.      It is promoting the international cooperation in the emerging and frontier areas of science and technology under bilateral, multilateral or regional framework. This is achieved through interactions between governments, academia, institutions and industries with specific focus on areas of common interests through a reciprocal arrangement that will benefit both Cyprus and the partner country.

4.      It has introduced two Programs for the Creation of New Enterprises of High Technology and Innovation through the Institution of Business Incubators.  Within the context of these programs the Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Tourism has signed contracts with four private companies for the establishment and operation of an equal number of business incubators.  The Technology-Incubating Program is an innovative system designed to assist entrepreneurs and inventors in the development of new technology-based companies.  It seeks to effectively link talent, technology, capital and know-how in order to accelerate the development of new companies thus speeding up the commercialization of technology.  The program is addressed to individuals or small groups of individuals who present a business plan for the development of an innovative idea and the Government of Cyprus provides part financing of up to the sum of about U.S.$240.000 for the development of a new high technology product, for a period of up to two years.  For the establishment of more incubators, enhancing thus the infrastructure in this field, we are now considering the introduction of a Business Incubators Accreditation Program.

5.      In cooperation with the French Riviera Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the authorities of the Sophia Antipolis Science Park it is  promoting the establishment of a Technology Park in Cyprus to host research centres of International repute and esteemed high tech enterprises.  The project is now at the stage of the preparation of the feasibility study.

In addition to all above initiatives, it is to be noted that a Competent Ministerial Committee is in the process of evaluating the existing research, technological development and innovation system in Cyprus as well as the relevant administrative structures and management mechanisms in an effort to determine any weaknesses, deficiencies or overlapping between the functions of the public bodies, the broader public sector and the private sector and will soon submit to the Council of Ministers suggestions for the restructuring of the sectors under the Mediterranean Institute of Research and Technological Development, based on successful models in this field and its upgrading in the context of the broader economic and social environment.

In concluding, I would like to thank you for the opportunity you have given me to   address this gathering and I look forward to the cooperation between my country and the Arab World in the field of research and technological development, aiming towards the enhancing prosperity of our people.

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