The Undersecretary of State for Research, Innovation and Digital Policy, Mr. Kyriakos Kokkinos.
Referring to the experiences and achievements of the State Department in the first 20 months of his life, the Deputy Minister stressed that this was a period of successive changes, unprecedented conditions and multiple challenges. Underline the Multidimensional contribution of the State Department to the management of the pandemic, both in terms of tools for dealing with the crisis in public health, and the use of technology for the facilitation of business and the optimal service of the citizens. In this context, Systems and services were developed in record time that made it possible to process a variety of transactions, easily and quickly, via the Internet, minimizing the need for physical presence. Indicatively, the the management system of the Covid19 allowances of the Ministry of Labor and the payment system of the Social Insurance, as well as the new digital services of the Land Registry and Urban Planning, which resulted in the more than doubling of electronic transactions with the state. A fully digital Covid19 data management system was created, as well as the State vaccination program, from making an appointment to issuing certificates and facilitating travel within and outside Cyprus.
Parallel, The foundations were laid for the implementation of a long-term digital strategy, the electronic signature was institutionalized, the 5G networks were licensed, while Cyprus achieved a rise of three places in the European Digital Economy and Society Index (DESI) 2021, recording progress in almost all of them.
The pandemic, according to the Undersecretary, despite the difficulties and challenges, has been a valuable indicator of the evaluation of the structures and the way of functioning of our state, leading to valuable lessons. All the emergency solutions implemented in the midst of a pandemic have been left as a legacy and have now been framed in a holistic design, paving the way for the institutionalization of a permanent change in all areas. "The bet", the Undersecretary underlined, "Is to build on the foundations we have put under pressure and to lead our country on a path of rapid and sustainable development. Compassed by the goals set within the framework of the Europe 2030 Digital Decade, Cyprus has formulated a holistic plan to accelerate the digital transformation and promote innovation at the level of government, economy and society, taking advantage of the opportunities offered by the Recovery Plan ( SAA) and building the Cyprus of tomorrow. "This journey has already begun", said the Undersecretary "and we are on the right track! With decisive and firm steps, collectivity and sympathy. "
EGovernment
The approach of the State Department moves in three main axes: a) the development of quality and easy-to-use digital services, through the creation of the Digital Services Factory and the cooperation with the United Kingdom; education and justice, and c) the redesign of the Undersecretary's business model and the transition to a government cloud.
The new gov.cy portal, with a modern design and functional approach, which will host all public services and government websites under one umbrella, is considered a milestone in the process of building a digital state. "Our goal," the Undersecretary stressed, as "The whole public can fit on one screen". "Like the triptych, speed, efficiency and security characterize every transaction."
Additionally, the use of electronic identity is promoted, as well as the creation of a wallet app for easy access to identification documents and certificates through a mobile application. The Cypriot Telecommunication Center of the Ministry of Labor is also considered to be of great importance, which is a prelude to a central call center for all government services, as well as the "Red Button" program, through which emergency services are provided to the elderly and vulnerable groups.
Digital Infrastructure and Connectivity
With aiming at the rapid development of ultra-high speed networks and technologies, the State Department, on the basis of the new Broadband Plan of Cyprus 2021-2025, promotes network expansion in under-served areas, through a state subsidy of € 35 million. Alongside, supports households through a connectivity voucher for the installation of internal fiber optic cabling and connection to high-speed services, a plan that is expected to be announced in 2022. It is also located A tender process for the issuance of a 2nd digital terrestrial network network license is under preparation, while the use of emerging technologies, such as artificial intelligence, blockchain, and space technologies, is being promoted.. It is worth noting that Cyprus is ranked among the first European countries to complete the preparation of a legal framework for blockchain and cryptoassets, has recently renewed the cooperation agreement with the European Space Agency (ESA), through which it is expected to further development of the country's industrial capacity and the promotion of research and innovation in this field.
Digital Skills and Employment
Aiming on the one hand to create an open and inclusive society, where all citizens will have active and equal participation, and on the other hand to meet the needs of the labor market both in terms of broad-based digital skills and ICT specialists, the State Department has prepared, in collaboration with all stakeholders a national Action Plan to upgrade citizens' digital skills across the spectrum of social structure and economic activity. In addition, the State Department will launch in 2022 the Digital Citizens' Academy, a new platform that will provide citizens with the opportunity to be free, free and without complicated procedures to be informed about the availability of educational programs and to attend courses that meet the needs, to the interests and level of knowledge and skills of each.
Attracting investments
The State Department attaches special importance to the emergence of Cyprus as a regional hub of technology and innovation. Through the new incentive framework adopted by the State, but also through actions, such as the upgrading of technological and telecommunications infrastructure and the skills of the workforce, aims to attract science companies, high technology and start-ups, which is expected to contribute both in the development of the economy and in the creation of new, quality jobs. Equally important is the effort to facilitate the installation of data center infrastructure, through the construction of a Green Data Center Park, which will be provided to interested land and facilities.
Research and Innovation (R&D)
Emphasis is also placed on the expansion and strengthening of the Research and Innovation sector, in order to maximize its socio-economic impact and to support the development course of the country. The last two years have seen a significant boost to these issues, with Cyprus ranking among the EU countries with the most progress according to the European Innovation Scoreboard 2021, as well as first in the EU in terms of per capita absorption of funds from the Horizon 2020 Program.
The funding programs announced by the Foundation for Research and Innovation (IDEK), the executive arm of the Ministry of R&D, have brought significant benefits to the economy, leading to a strengthening of the ecosystem and the creation of new jobs. Last April, IDEK announced the GEFYRA programs, four new programs with a budget of € 15 million, while for the period 2021-2027, in addition to € 150 million, they will be available to enhance research excellence and innovative entrepreneurship, as well as promoting solutions to facilitate the digital and green transition. Attractive opportunities are also emerging through the new EU R&D funding program, Horizon Europe, with a total budget of € 95,5 billion, for which IDEK provides support services through the National Contact Points. At the same time, the State Department actively supports the path of the six Centers of Excellence towards sustainability, as well as the optimal utilization of publicly funded research infrastructures by the entire ecosystem.
International cooperation
The Undersecretary made special mention of the value of the international cooperation for the acceleration and ensuring the successful implementation of the strategic aspirations both in matters of Digital Policy and in matters of R&D. The State Department has instituted bilateral cooperation with countries such as France, Greece, Germany, the United Kingdom, Estonia, Israel and the United States, and is in contact to promote further cooperation with tangible actions at bilateral, European and multilateral levels.
According to the Undersecretary, our vision as research, Innovation and Information and Communication Technologies to be a catalyst for the creation of a modern, efficient and citizen-friendly state and a dynamic digital economy, as tools to support a new and expanded development model for our country. Tools for strengthening employment and achieving conditions of social welfare, as well as strengthening the competitiveness of Cyprus in the international arena. "Through the policies and actions that we implement," the Undersecretary concluded, "we aspire to achieve a substantial improvement not only of the quality of service we provide as a state to citizens and businesses, but mainly of the quality of life of our citizens."