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It gives me a great pleasure to address today’s Conference, which aims to highlight the importance of digital transformation, initially as an enabler of modernization, growth and competitiveness, and secondly as an indispensable tool for the successful management of various global challenges. Before I continue, allow me to congratulate the organizers of this event, as well as all the participants and contributors for their overall support in the intensive efforts we are all making, in order to enhance digital culture.

Ladies and gentlemen,

We live in an era of unprecedented technological advancement, which has led to the evolution of smart technologies, while the rapid development of technologies such as Artificial Intelligence and Blockchain are taking place. Such technologies radically transform the way we communicate, the way we live and work, contributing to the creation of conditions that facilitate everyday life and substantially improve its quality. This constitutes the aim of Europe’s Digital Decade: namely to empower citizens and businesses by focusing on a sustainable digital future. A future that enhances prosperity and is definitely citizen centric model.

The Cyprus Government aims at a transformation that will lead economy, technology and institutions to a new era. Through reforms and investments our Government has laid solid foundations for the transition to a new growth model, based on knowledge and technological development; a more sustainable and resilient model, with opportunities and prospects for all citizens and businesses of our country.

 So, let me refer to some of the recent initiatives that are underway:

• The Asset Submission System for Politically Exposed Persons (PEPs) has been put forward; the application is ready and what is left is the relevant legislation which is expected to be amended, in order to cover the additional fields of the electronic declaration from paper format, as well as the approval of the Commissioner for Personal Data Protection. It can then be put into operation immediately.
• At the same time, an integrated tax administration system is being set up. The first phase of the project has been operating productively since 27 March 2023. The next and final stage is under implementation and its completion is expected by the end of 2024.
• A Contact Centre in relation to services of the Ministry of Labour and Social Insurance and the Deputy Ministry of Social Welfare is already available to the public and its operation proceeds smoothly. The number 1450 is in our lives!  Use it!

Furthermore, an electronic service regarding the updating of Citizens’ data is ready and it is expected to be available to the public as of the 10th July 2023.

In addition, the Digital Citizens’ Academy platform has been developed and is at the stage where educational material is being uploaded. It is foreseen to be available to the public very soon (by the end of June to early July).

The electronic application for the Minimum Guaranteed Income (GMI) is in the final audit stage and it is scheduled to be made available to the public next week.

The electronic identity and the electronic signature, are expected to be the official tool of the state for the identification of citizens, aiming, furthermore, at carrying out electronic transactions securely and legally. This will serve as the citizens’ e-passport to the digital world, similar to the biometric identity in the physical world.

These are just a few services that have recently been completed or will be completed soon. There are many more to come as the Digital Services Factory has announced the first mini-competition, earmarking the beginning of industrializing the production of micro-services.

With regard to connectivity, our main goal as Deputy Ministry is to provide universal access to all citizens to the Gigabit digital society. Based on our Broadband Plan, we implement a series of actions aimed at the smooth operation of a competitive market and the formation of a more investment-friendly environment, as well as the penetration of ultra-high speed networks throughout Cyprus.
Taking advantage of the multidimensional benefits of fast connections and the transition to a digital reality of interaction between citizens and businesses with the state, depends to a large extent on society’s digital capacity. This is why strengthening citizens’ digital skills is at the heart of efforts at national and European level. This was also one of the main conclusions of the EU Telecommunications Council, as well as the Digital Assembly, which took place last week in Stockholm.

Therefore, the motto is “Digital transformation for all”. This is our message and I am certain that together, we can reach greater achievements. We can provide a shield for the economy and unlock a better future for the citizens of our country, as well as for Europe as a whole.

In concluding, I would like to wish you every success in the deliberations of this Conference.

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* The speech was read, on behalf of the Deputy Minister, by the Director of the Department of Information Technology Services (DITS), Ms Andriana Achilleos.

MK