Filenews 6 December 2021
The work of the Deputy Ministry for the years 2020-21, as well as the policies and actions underway to fulfil the vision for a holistic transition to the digital era and a modern knowledge society, were presented at a press conference at the Presidential Palace by the Deputy Minister of Research, Innovation and Digital Policy, Mr. Kyriakos Kokkinos.
Referring to the experiences and achievements of the Deputy Ministry in its first 20 months of life, the Deputy Minister stressed that this was a period of successive changes, unprecedented conditions and multiple challenges. He underlined the multidimensional contribution of the Deputy Ministry to the management of the pandemic, both in terms of tools for dealing with the crisis in public health, as well as the use of technology to facilitate entrepreneurship and the best service to 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 covid19 benefit management system of the Ministry of Labour and the social insurance payment system were mentioned, as well as the new digital services of the Cadastre and the Town Planning, which resulted in the more than doubling of electronic transactions with the state. A fully digital system for the management of Covid19 data as well as the vaccination program of the State was created, from the booking of appointments, to the issuance of certificates and the facilitation of travel in Cyprus and abroad.
At the same time, the foundations were laid for the implementation of a long-term digital strategy, the electronic signature was institutionalized, 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 parameters under consideration. The pandemic, according to the Deputy Minister, despite the difficulties and challenges, has been a valuable indicator of the evaluation of the structures and the way our state operates, leading to valuable lessons. All the emergency solutions implemented in the midst of the pandemic have remained as a legacy and have now been framed in a holistic planning, setting the tone for the institutionalization of a permanent change in all areas. "The challenge", underlined the Deputy Minister, "is to build on the foundations we set under pressure and to lead our country on a path of rapid and sustainable development. Using as a compass the goals that have been formulated in the context of the Digital Decade of Europe 2030, Cyprus has formulated a holistic plan to accelerate digital transformation and promote innovation at the level of government, economy and society, taking advantage of the opportunities offered by the Recovery and Resilience Plan (SDS) and building the Cyprus of tomorrow. "This journey has already begun," said the Deputy Minister, "and we are on the right track! With decisive and steady steps, collectivity and unity."
e-Government
The Deputy Ministry's approach is based on 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 UK, b) the implementation of new information systems in vital services, such as the Department of Taxation, the Registrar of Companies and the Department of Road Transport and integrated solutions in education and justice, and c) the redesign of the Deputy Ministry's business model and the transition to a government cloud.
A milestone in the process of building a digital state is considered to be the new gateway gov.cy, with a modern design and functional approach, which will host all public services and government websites under one umbrella. "Our goal", stressed the Deputy Minister, as "the whole public sector fits on one screen". "Like the triptych of speed, efficiency and security characterizes every transaction."
In addition, the use of electronic identity is promoted, as well as the creation of a wallet app for easy access to identification documents and certificates via a mobile application. Of great importance is also considered the Pancyprian Teleservice Center of the Ministry of Labour, which is a prelude to a central call centre for all government services, as well as the program "Red Button", through which emergency services are provided to the elderly and vulnerable groups.
Digital Infrastructure and Connectivity
Aiming at the rapid development of ultra-high speed networks and technologies, the Deputy Ministry, on the basis of the new Broadband Plan of Cyprus 2021-2025, promotes the expansion of networks in underserved areas, through a state subsidy of €35 million. At the same time, it supports households through a voucher for the installation of internal fibre optic wiring and connection to ultra-high speed services, a plan that is expected to be announced in 2022. A tendering process for the issuance of a2nd digital terrestrial television network operating license is also under preparation, while the exploitation 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 legislative framework for blockchain and cryptoassets, while it has recently renewed the cooperation agreement with the European Space Agency (ESA), through which it is expected to achieve the 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 at creating an open and inclusive society, where all citizens will have active and equal participation, and on the other hand at meeting the needs of the labour market both in terms of broad-based digital skills and ICT specialists, the Deputy Ministry has drawn up, in cooperation with all stakeholders, a national Action Plan for upgrading citizens' digital skills across the spectrum of social structure and economic activity. In addition, the Deputy Ministry will inaugurate in 2022 the Digital Citizens Academy, a new platform that will provide citizens with the opportunity freely, free of charge and without complex procedures to be informed about the availability of educational programs and to attend courses that suit the needs, interests and level of knowledge and skills of each one.
Attracting investment
The Deputy Ministry attaches great importance to the emergence of Cyprus as a regional hub of technology and innovation. Through the new framework of incentives adopted by the State, but also through actions, such as the upgrading of technological and telecommunications infrastructure and the skills that workforce, it aims at attracting science companies, high-tech and start-ups, which is expected to contribute both to the development of the economy and to the creation of new, quality jobs. Equally important is the effort to facilitate the installation of data centre infrastructure, through the construction of a Green Data Center Park, where it will be provided to interested land and facilities.
Research and Innovation (R&I)
Emphasis is also placed on the expansion and strengthening of the research and innovation sector, in order to maximize its socio-economic impact and support the country's development path. In the last two years, these issues have been given a significant boost, with Cyprus being ranked among the most progressing EU countries according to the European Innovation Scoreboard 2021, as well as the first within the EU in terms of per capita absorption of funds from Horizon 2020.
The funding programmes announced by the Research and Innovation Foundation (IDEK), the executive arm of the Deputy Ministry for R&I issues, have brought significant benefits to the economy, leading to the strengthening of the ecosystem and the creation of new jobs. Last April, Idaek announced the GEFYRA programmes, four new projects with a budget of €15 million, while for the period 2021-2027, more than €150 million. will be used to enhance research excellence and innovative entrepreneurship, as well as to promote solutions to facilitate the digital and green transitions. Attractive opportunities are also emerging through the new funding programme for EU R&I, Horizon Europe, with a total budget of €95.5 billion, for the claim of which the IEK provides support services through the National Contact Points. At the same time, the Deputy Ministry actively supports the progress of the six Centres of Excellence towards sustainability, as well as the optimal use of publicly funded research infrastructures by the entire ecosystem.
International cooperation
The Deputy Minister made particular reference to the value of international cooperation in accelerating and ensuring the successful implementation of strategic objectives both in digital policy and R&I issues. The Deputy Ministry has established cooperation at bilateral level with countries such as France, Greece, Germany, the UK, Estonia, Israel and the USA, while it is in contact to promote further collaborations with tangible actions in bilateral, European and multilateral level.
According to the Deputy Minister, our vision is that research, innovation and Information and Communication Technologies will 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 to enhance employment and achieve conditions of social prosperity, as well as to strengthen the competitiveness of Cyprus on the international arena. "Through the policies and actions we implement", concluded the Deputy Minister, "we aspire to achieve a substantial improvement not only in the quality of service we provide as a state to citizens and businesses, but mainly in the quality of life of our citizens".
