The budget of the Deputy Ministry of Research, Innovation, and Digital Policy for 2027 will amount to €150.2 million, while an additional €62 million is included in the budgets of other ministries and deputy ministries for digitization projects, according to the Deputy Minister of Research, Innovation, and Digital Policy, Nikodimos Damianou, on Monday, who also noted that more than 200 new digital services have been implemented over the past two years.
Mr. Damianou, who presented his ministry’s budget before the Parliament’s Finance Committee, referenced both the projects implemented over the past two years and the priorities for the coming year.
ΣΧΕΤΙΚΑ ΑΡΘΡΑ
As he noted, the government is implementing “the largest digitization program ever undertaken by any government in history for the public sector,” noting that over the past two years, more than 200 new digital services have been launched, while the phased rollout of major information systems that modernize key sectors of the state apparatus is also proceeding.
Among the projects that have already been put into operation are the eDEA system for school administration, which has processed more than 136,000 student enrollments, the new Postal Service system, which has processed more than 300,000 packages through the “drop & send” service, the Customs system, the integrated system of the Deputy Ministry of Shipping, as well as the Police’s DigiPol platform, through which 21,000 clean criminal record certificates were issued within a few months.
Other significant projects include the first phase of the upgraded iJustice system, the new Social Security system, and the CY-Alert platform for providing timely information and guidance to the public in emergency situations.
Mr. Damianou emphasized that digitization has already yielded measurable results for citizens, noting that in Social Security, it has helped reduce the time required to process applications by 30% to 70%, depending on the benefit. Similar benefits, he noted, have also been observed in services provided by the Population Registry, social welfare, defense, and the Deputy Ministry of Migration.
More than 170,000 users on “Digital Citizen”
Special mention was also made of the “Digital Citizen” app, which now has more than 170,000 users. According to the Deputy Minister, new documents have been added to the app, such as minor children’s ID cards and residence permits for foreign nationals, as well as automatic notification features for document expiration dates.
At the same time, he announced that the addition of soccer match tickets will be announced within the month, while the next phase of the app’s development is expected to include the integration of new documents and the functionality of the European Digital Identity Wallet.
Plans also include the addition of an age verification mechanism, with the aim of strengthening the protection of minors online.
Projects Planned for 2027
Referring to next year’s priorities, the Deputy Minister noted that the Deputy Ministry will move forward with projects that directly impact citizens’ daily lives and the operations of businesses.
These include the new system of the Department of Road Transport and the new system of the Registrar of Companies, which he described as a project of particular importance for facilitating business activity and attracting investment.
At the same time, the Deputy Ministry will support major government projects for 2027 and 2028, such as NG 112, the Police command and control center, the Turkish Cypriot property management system, as well as the integrated electronic health record system, which will expand the existing capabilities of the National Health System (GESY).
Investments in Cybersecurity and Artificial Intelligence
During the presentation, Mr. Damianou also addressed cybersecurity, noting that for the third consecutive year, dedicated funding is allocated to this sector. As he explained, in 2026 a common cybersecurity policy framework for the public sector was established for the first time, featuring uniform rules, standards, and staff training and awareness initiatives.
Regarding research and innovation, he noted that investments continue in research excellence, funding for innovative businesses, and linking research to the real economy.
Particular emphasis is also placed on Artificial Intelligence, with the development of national computing infrastructure and Cyprus’s participation in the European AI Factories network through Pharos-CY.
The Deputy Minister described the new National Strategy for Artificial Intelligence as crucial, with a time horizon extending to 2032, which, as he noted, is expected to be approved this week by the Council of Ministers.
In conclusion, Mr. Damianou emphasized that the goal is for investments in technology and innovation to have a tangible impact on society and the economy.
“Our goal is clear: investments in technology and innovation should translate into better services for citizens, greater productivity for the state, and new growth opportunities for our economy,” he said, while also expressing his hope for continued constructive cooperation with all parliamentary parties.
During the question period in which Members of Parliament addressed the Deputy Minister of Innovation, questions were raised primarily regarding artificial intelligence, cyberattacks, and the digitization of services to avoid inconvenience to citizens. Members of Parliament also asked questions about the outsourcing of work at a time when there is an increase in staff in permanent positions, and requested that a list be sent in writing to the Parliament detailing the contracts signed from the time the government took office until today, specifying which were awarded through direct award and which through an open tender.
Source: CNA
