Overview
The ROC wants to position itself as a regional hub for innovation, research, and ICT, serving the entire Eastern Mediterranean and acting as a gateway between Europe, the Middle East, and North Africa. It is making efforts to improve its ICT and cybersecurity infrastructure and promote digital transformation of both the private and public sectors. To this end, the ROC established a Deputy Ministry of Research, Innovation, and Digital Policy (DMRIDP) in February 2020 to coordinate and lead the effort. Prior to that, in February 2019, the ROC appointed its first Chief Scientist and in April 2018 it established the Digital Security Authority (DSA). The DSA is responsible for cybersecurity and oversees the National Computer Security Incident Response Team (CSIRT). The Office of the Commissioner of Electronic Communications and Postal Regulations (OCECPR) oversees all electronic communications regulations in the ROC. COVID-19 working conditions accelerated digital transformation in the private sector and prioritized e-government, e-learning, and e-justice projects for both funding and execution. The ROC pledged to use a large portion of the EU Resilience and Recovery Fund available to Cyprus to implement digitalization projects and has assigned over $300 million to the DMRIDP to do so. To support the development of start-ups and innovative projects, the ROC established a start-up visa regime, a tax relaxation scheme, and other incentives. For more detailed information, interested companies can contact the DMRIDP to implement smart city, which the Council of Ministers approved in November 2020. Major ROC municipalities are in the process of implementing smart city applications.
Leading Sub-Sectors and Opportunities
Digital Transformation and Cybersecurity
There is a growing demand for U.S. software, services, and platforms. Increased cybersecurity breaches led the ROC government to seek out higher-quality security capabilities and consulting services. Digital skills in the local market are limited, offering opportunities for U.S. consulting and training companies. All issued and upcoming tenders can be found on the ROC’s e-procurement website.
Design and Implementation of Smart City Infrastructure (Central Platform) throughout Cyprus:
Design and implementation of three smart priority solutions (smart parking, smart lighting and smart waste collection management) through the installation of sensors. With the completion of the technical study proposing options to the ROC for its national framework strategy and promotion of smart cities, the ROC will tender out projects related to smart parking, smart lights, and smart waste management systems for all 30 municipalities, providing opportunities for U.S. companies.
Expansion/modernization of public procurement system:
Under the supervision of the Deputy Ministry of Research, Innovation, and Digital Policy, the Accountant General’s Office will release a tender for the introduction of a complete and fully digitized electronic public procurement system using modern technologies.
Unified Data Center for Deputy Ministry of Research, Innovation, and Digital Policy (DMRIDP) and Ministry of Labor and Social Insurance (MLSI):
DMRIDP and MLSI plan to issue a tender for the gradual transfer of all their Information Systems to a Unified Data Center to process their business needs and where the possibility will be given for more flexible procedures of serving the citizens.
New National Visa System for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs:
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs is expected to release a tender for the installation, maintenance and operation of a new Visa Information System, which will comply with the Schengen acquis and will be able to adopt to current and future requirements
Development of a Smart Transportation System Using Digital Twin Technologies:
The Ministry of Transport, Communications, and Works plans to issue a tender for the development and implementation of an intelligent transport system to improve the management of mobility in urban areas, through the connection of 300 sensors with a central control system.
Cyprus Innovative Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) Public Health System:
The Department of Medical and Public Health Services plans to issue a tender for the development of digital tools for the creation of a flu surveillance unit through morbidity monitors.
Integrated Land Information System (CIS):
The Department of Land and Surveys is in the process of replacing its services and monitoring systems The first phase of the project, which included 145 services and involved a geographic subsystem upgrade, is already implemented. DLS is now expected to move to phase two for the computerization of another 250 procedures.
Expansion of Government Information Warehouse:
The Deputy Ministry of Research, Innovation, and Digital Policy (DMRIDP) plans to tender out the modernization and expansion of the Government Information Warehouse, where data from public information systems are kept.
Transition to a Government Cloud Environment (G-cloud):
The Deputy Ministry of Research, Innovation, and Digital Policy (DMRIDP) plans to issue a tender to define and implement a new cloud computing (G-Cloud) policy for government systems and IT services. It will also need to purchase Data Center Facilities to host the G-Cloud.
Digitization of Services in Buckets:
The Deputy Ministry of Research, Innovation, and Digital Policy (DMRIDP) plans to issue small tenders for the development of a service team, based on the standards developed by its internal Digital Services Factory (DSF) team.
New Integrated Health Information System:
The Public Health Services Organization (Greek acronym Okypy) plans to issue tenders for new technological infrastructure and hospital administration systems.
Public Warning System:
In collaboration with the Deputy Ministry of Research, Innovation, and Digital Policy (DMRIDP), the Civil Defense office will issue a tender for an early public warning system through a mobile app or SMS for emergency alerts.
Digipol System for the Cyprus Police:
The Cyprus Police plans to issue a tender for a digital platform for allowing the public to request police procedures and services.
Electronic Recording of Court Hearings / Digital Audio Recording (DAR) System:
The Cyprus Judicial Service plans to procure a new DAR system to record hearing procedures. The purpose is to abolish printed files and maintain all hearing records in electronic format.
Resources
Deputy Ministry of Research, Innovation, and Digital Policy
Office of the Commissioner of Electronic Communications and Postal Regulations (Note: Website is only available in the Greek language).
Cyprus National Computer Security Incident Response Team (CSIRT) (Note: Website is only available in the Greek language)