According to the president of EVEL, Stelios Anastasiades, Nicosia more than any other city has significant advantages in research and innovation infrastructure.
“The coexistence of all this infrastructure, institutions and activities in Nicosia creates fertile ground for research and innovation in Nicosia, and constitute the comparative advantage of the city”, said Anastasiades.
In contrast to the isolated complexes of research centres in the past (e.g. technological parks), today’s needs have shifted towards innovation districts that prosper in many cities abroad such as Boston, Stockholm and Barcelona.
To this effect, EVEL has submitted a proposal to the Undersecretary to the President Constandinos Petrides, in cooperation with the University of Cyprus, to take measures in this direction.
According to EVEL, the government must stand by Nicosia’s side and with determination provide tax and city planning incentives (as it did with other cities and airports, marinas, golf courses etc.), so that the private sector is supported and other institutions intensify initiatives in the fields of research and development.
EVEL notes that Nicosia has the following:
- Universities: University of Cyprus, Open University of Cyprus, European University of Cyprus, University of Nicosia, Frederick University, other academic institutions (CIIM, CIM, etc.)
- Research centres and institutes: Institute of Neurology and Genetics, Cyprus Institute, Department of Geological Surveying, Department of Fisheries and Marine Research, Institute of Geological Research, State Chemists, Institute of Research, Innovation and Entrepreneurship, RISE, Microsoft Innovation Centre. In addition, there are numerous innovation centres embedded within the various universities in Nicosia.
- Businesses/associations which support research and innovation activities: Cyprus Association for Business, Research and Innovation, Business incubators (Ermes, Diogenis, Helix), offices connecting universities to the business world.
- Start-up Centres and Accelerators: IDEA at CIIM, Bank of Cyprus and Deloitte, Capital Impact at Cyta, Eurobank and PWC.
- Hospitals: General Hospital, Makarios Hospital, Aretaeio Hospital, Apollonion, Hippocrateon, Nicosia Polyclinic, American Medical Centre, etc.
- Software companies: Large multinational software companies such as IBM, NCR, Oracle and Microsoft have offices in Nicosia. Cypriot companies which offer software services abroad, such as Logicom, are located in Nicosia, while other foreign companies such Wargaming are also in the capital.
Source: InCyprus
