George Hasapakos, Business Development Director of SWORD Group (Sword Cyprus Ltd), explains how the decision to establish a presence in Cyprus has already served as a catalyst for growth and suggests what the country needs to do if it is to achieve its aim of becoming a regional tech hub.
Speaking to GOLD magazine on the occasion of the company receiving an Invest Cyprus International Investment Award, Hasapakos, among other things, also talks about what policies Cyprus should pursue to help the country achieve its goal of becoming a regional tech hub and expand its digital presence.
Following the opening of SWORD Group’s Nicosia Office, can you elaborate on what drew you to the Cypriot market? How has your presence in Cyprus had an effect on the company’s growth?
The decision to establish a presence in Cyprus and, specifically, in Nicosia, was driven by several key factors. Cyprus offers a highly skilled, multilingual talent pool, a robust regulatory environment aligned with European standards and a strategic location that bridges Europe, the Middle East and North Africa. These advantages made it an ideal choice for expanding our footprint. This move also aligns with our objective to provide existing European clients with an alternative location for nearshore support and services. Since opening our office, we’ve seen strong momentum – our operations here have enhanced our delivery capabilities, improved agility for regional clients and created valuable synergies across the Group. It’s been a catalyst for growth, both in terms of business development and innovation.
How has SWORD Group’s experience in establishing an office been thus far? Did you encounter any bottlenecks along the way?
Our experience of establishing the SWORD Group office in Cyprus has been overwhelmingly positive. We’ve received strong support from local authorities and organisations like Invest Cyprus, which helped smooth the setup process and connect us with key stakeholders. Naturally, as with any international expansion, there have been some administrative and logistical challenges – particularly around navigating regulatory procedures and talent onboarding timelines. However, these are not unique to Cyprus and have been manageable thanks to open communication and a collaborative approach.
Cyprus is seeking to become a regional tech hub. In your view, what policies should be pursued to help the country achieve this goal and expand its digital presence?
Cyprus should invest in talent and skills, enhance STEM education, lifelong digital learning and university–industry collaboration. It should also fund joint advanced programmes in AI, cybersecurity and blockchain to keep university curricula market-driven. Moreover, global integration cements Cyprus as a gateway between Europe, the Gulf, Africa and Asia.
What technological advancements are you particularly excited about? Have you observed an increase in client demand for consulting services on such advancements?
We’re particularly excited about advancements in artificial intelligence, especially generative AI and machine learning applications that are transforming how businesses operate, from automating processes to enhancing decision-making. We’re also seeing rapid innovation in cybersecurity, cloud-native architectures and data analytics, all of which are reshaping enterprise IT strategies. Organisations in Cyprus and across the region are looking not just for technology but for trusted partners who can guide them through strategic, compliant and scalable digital transformation.
This is exactly where SWORD Group brings value – combining deep technical expertise with reliable and professional support, from our onshore, nearshore and offshore support centres, and global know-how.
Congratulations on receiving an Invest Cyprus International Investment Award. What does this recognition mean to you and your team at SWORD Group?
Thank you very much! Receiving this Award is a tremendous honour for all of us at SWORD Group. This recognition reflects not only the strategic importance of our investment in Cyprus but also the dedication, vision and collaborative spirit of our entire team. It reaffirms our commitment to fostering innovation, supporting local talent and contributing to the country’s growing reputation as a dynamic business and technology hub. We’re proud to be part of this journey and excited about what lies ahead.
SWORD Group
SWORD Group is an international Consulting, Service and Software company that assists global leaders in their digital & technology transformation. Founded in November 2000, with headquarters in Luxembourg, the Group has a current headcount of more than 3,300 employees and has offices in 17 countries.
The Group provides its customers with skilled and highly experienced IT professionals for solution development and software engineering, as well as staff augmentation to support project teams. SWORD Group’s decision to open an office in Nicosia, Cyprus aligns with its objective of providing existing European clients with an alternative location for nearshore support and services.
This interview first appeared in the July edition of GOLD magazine. Click here to view it.
