Cyprus signs MoU to modernise state IT

Modernisation of the state’s technological infrastructure and speeding up the adoption of cloud services by the public and private sectors are the two main goals governing the memorandum of understanding signed between Amazon Web Services and the Deputy Ministry for Digital Policy, deputy minister Kyriakos Kokkinos said on Tuesday.

AWS will work in close cooperation with the deputy ministry to provide a wide spectrum of training activities and skill development to the local workforce and at the same time in developing initiatives aimed at modernising governance, starting with pilot applications in areas such as big data, artificial intelligence and “smart city” solutions.

“Utilising AWS’ experience, best practices and know-how, Cyprus aspires to modernise its IT infrastructure and cloud computing policies in areas including security, open data and procurement, to create a skilled workforce and to promote the use of cloud computing technology by companies,” the minister said.

He further added that the signing of the memorandum between the two ushers in a new era of opportunities for the country by enabling the use of cloud computing across all sectors of governance and industrial activity.

He said that the speeding up of the Republic’s digital transformation is among the government’s priorities as the full transition to a digital environment is a basic lever for a diversified and a more sustainable development model that can lead to economic growth, international competitiveness, and social prosperity.

“We set the foundations for a broad cooperation with the aim of accelerating the transition to a dynamic digital economy through the modernisation of infrastructure, capacity building, innovation and entrepreneurship,” Kokkinos added, characterising the memorandum as “the first step in a long-term, mutually beneficial cooperation that will help establish Cyprus as a regional technological hub capable of hosting and addressing the needs of international technology and communications companies,” he said.

“Through this memorandum we commit to providing initiatives that will promote innovation, aid the development of local start-ups, support the modernisation of technological infrastructure and the development of digital skills for future generations,” said AWS General Manager of the European Public Sector Cameron Brooks.

He further pointed out that AWS’ digital technologies contribute to the reduction of key sector emissions enabling more viable development and that businesses in Europe can reduce energy consumption by up to 80 per cent when operating an AWS cloud over their own data centers.