Address by the President of the Republic, Mr Nicos Anastasiades,
at the
Conference “Challenges for Cyprus: Digital
Single
Market and ICT Innovation”
Your Excellency, Secretary – General
of the International Telecommunication Union,
Ladies and gentlemen,
It is with great pleasure that I address the opening of
the Digital Single Market and ICT Innovation Conference. I am also very pleased
to welcome to Cyprus our distinguished guests; His Excellency Mr Houlin Zhao,
Secretary- General of the International Telecommunication Union and Mrs Megan
Richards, Principal Adviser in the Directorate-General CONNECT of the European
Commission.
This year marks the 150th anniversary of the
International Telecommunication Union (ITU).
Since the signing of the first International Telegraph
Convention and the creation of the International Telegraph Union, in 1865, ITU
has been at the forefront of developments in communications – from telegraphy
through to the modern world of satellites, mobile phones and the internet. The
ITU has grown into an organization which currently has a membership of 193
countries and almost 800 private-sector entities and academic institutions.
It is now established as the main platform that brings
together representatives from governments, competent industries, academia,
consumers and all other relevant stakeholders, giving them the opportunity to
form partnerships and share experiences and innovative ideas. Today, ITU stands
ready to support its members access a wealth of opportunities in the digital
world.
A robust and reliable electronic communications
framework is key for the development of international finance, trading and
shipping -related activities.
In this regard, Cyprus has managed to develop an
excellent satellite and submarine cable infrastructure, which is used to connect
the island with its neighboring countries as well as the rest of the world.
Every minute of every day the world generates 1.7
million billion bytes of data. We live in a digital age and are heading rapidly
towards a fully interconnected world with a digital future.
This is why building a solid Digital Single Market is so
important for Europe, where the free movement of goods, persons, services and
capital is ensured — and where citizens and businesses can effortlessly access
online goods and services, whatever their nationality, and wherever they
live.
A Digital Single Market can maximize the growth
potential of the digital economy, it can create opportunities for new business
startups and allow companies in a market of over 500 million people, thus
boosting economic growth and employment.
Digital technologies are now integrated in our everyday
life transforming the way we live, work and learn, therefore, the acquisition
and continuous upgrading of digital skills constitutes a decisive challenge for
our societies. This is particularly important for Cypriot businesses which are
mostly small and medium sized enterprises and could greatly benefit from the
further development of digital entrepreneurship.
Cyprus’ National Digital Strategy, initiated in 2012, is
in line with the objectives and actions proposed in the Digital Agenda for
Europe, one of the flagship initiatives set in the strategy “Europe 2020”. Our
digital strategy aims to contribute to economic growth, increase of productivity
and job creation. This strategy also promotes the use of ICT in all sectors of
the economy and society.
In addition, the Republic of Cyprus supports all efforts
and initiatives of the European Commission for achieving the Digital Single
Market, which will contribute significantly to the deepening of the Union’s
internal market.
Cyprus cannot lag behind in this digital transformation.
We are striving to make Cyprus one
of the best places globally to start and to grow a business. We are placing
emphasis on developing an attractive business environment that will enhance the
competitiveness and performance of local and foreign investment.
In order to achieve this we have developed a
comprehensive growth reform strategy which will curb bureaucracy and red tape,
simplify procedures and regulation, and create a more enabling business and
investment environment.
Acknowledging the vital role of
information and communication technologies to support the development and the
competitiveness of the economy, we have placed Digital Strategy and E-government
at the forefront of this reform, by aiming, inter alia, to significantly extend
the government services provided fully online to citizens and
enterprises.
We have just made a start on the road towards realizing
all the initiatives envisaged in our country’s national Digital Strategy.
The Cyprus Government is fully committed and ready to
take all necessary actions for the development of our digital economy and to
enhance the confidence and the trust for electronic transactions, so that
consumers and companies can best reap the benefits of the ICT technologies.
We are also
determined to support the Cypriot society in developing digital skills for
participating in an interconnected digital world. We want to make sure that our
country will reap the full potential of the digital revolution.
With these words, I would like to
thank the Minister of Transport, Communications and Works, the Department of
Electronic Communications and the European Commission for the organization of
this conference. I wish you all a productive conference.
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