The memorandum was signed during the Internationally United Commercial Agents and Brokers (IUCAB) annual conference that took place in Limassol.

According to a press release, the aim of the memorandum is to create a framework for formal cooperation which will facilitate the exchange of information and allow the transfer of knowledge.

This will enable the two parties to strengthen their strategic position in areas of mutual interest, each in its own field of specialisation.

In addition, the memorandum will facilitate the planning and implementation of future events, seminars and other related activities.

It will also allow the placement of students in member organisations of the Cyprus Commercial Representatives Association, as well as promote research in areas of particular interest to the commercial representative industry.

Both parties said that their intention is to lay the foundations for the development of the new generation of commercial agents by developing a training programme based on IUCAB standards.

“Through a short programme, students will have the opportunity to attend a series of seminars and courses,” the university said.

“Upon successful completion, these students will receive a certificate of attendance and successful completion that will be certified by both the IUCAB and UCLan Cyprus University,” it added.

The memorandum was signed by UCLan Cyprus professor Panikkos Poutziouris and CCRA president Nicolas Philippou.

“We welcome this initiative as it gives us a strategic framework to deepen and expand our cooperation in the fields of education, vocational training, research and innovation,” Poutziouris during the signing ceremony.

“We are committed to the common task of empowering and renewing entrepreneurship across generations and across borders,” he added.

On his part, Philippou said that “our association is constantly looking for ways to attract young people to the profession, the new generation of commercial agents of Cyprus”.

“We sought out this cooperative initiative with UCLan Cyprus University in order to achieve the maximum possible benefit for both the profession and our members,” he concluded.

The CCRA was founded in 1963 when various sector stakeholders decided to join forces to deal with common challenges and problems. The association is currently comprised of 266 members.

One of the key objectives of the association is to help develop commerce in Cyprus, while it has also pursued the enactment of legislation that regulates and protects the commercial representative profession from encroachment and other external pressures.

The association is a member of the aforementioned IUCAB, allowing it to stay informed about international practices and ensure that these are also enforced in Cyprus.

Source: Cyprus Mail