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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