The mission of the 'Minds in Cyprus' initiative to the United Kingdom was completed in London with particularly positive messages and an impressive response, confirming that the effort to reconnect Cyprus with the human resources of the diaspora is now entering a new, more substantial phase.
After the dynamic launch that took place in Birmingham on 22 June, the major career fair event in London on 23 June brought together over 350 Cypriot professionals, executives and business leaders active in the United Kingdom, who had the opportunity to learn about the professional and business prospects offered by Cyprus, as well as to discuss specific opportunities for returning and working in the country.
The interest recorded was not limited to individuals considering repatriation. There was also significant interest from businesses exploring the possibility of relocating or strengthening their presence in Cyprus, which gave the event a broader economic and development dimension.
The attendees were welcomed by representatives of Invest Cyprus, the CCCI and the Cypriots in the City network , underlining the importance of utilising highly qualified Cypriot human resources that excel abroad and their contribution to the further development of the Cypriot economy. Representatives of the Taxation Department and the Research and Innovation Foundation also participated, providing practical information on tax issues, funding programs, research opportunities and innovation support tools.
Deputy Minister to the President Irene Piki, who represented the Government, presented the progress achieved during the first year of implementation of the initiative, the available incentives and support tools, as well as the professional prospects that are currently taking shape in Cyprus.
During her intervention, Piki emphasised that Minds in Cyprus is a coordinated initiative that seeks to make Cyprus a serious and reliable choice for professionals evaluating the next step in their careers.
As she mentioned, the Government is not simply attempting to "return people," but to create the conditions so that the thought of returning or cooperating with Cyprus can be transformed into a real choice, through opportunities, targeted incentives and practical support.
The Deputy Minister noted that the Cypriot economy has been recording strong performance in recent years, with high growth rates, historically low unemployment, a significant reduction in public debt and successive upgrades by international rating agencies. As she emphasised, these developments create a real demand for specialised human resources, especially in high-value-added sectors, such as technology, financial services, research and innovation.
Particular mention was made of the Opportunities for Talent platform, through which more than 700 professionals have already registered, while more than 330 specialised job positions have been posted by businesses and organisations operating in Cyprus.
Special mention was also made of the targeted tax incentives in place, including the new 25% tax exemption on employment income for Cypriots who have been abroad for seven years, as well as the pre-existing 50% tax exemption for specific cases. As noted, these incentives act as a transitional tool that reduces the cost and uncertainty of the early years for those considering their return.
At the same time, the practical facilitations promoted through the Minds in Cyprus Action Plan were presented, such as the faster examination of applications for professional permits and recognition of qualifications, issues concerning residence and work permits for spouses or partners, support for families in matters of education and settlement, as well as the centralised information provided through the Information Hub.
Piki made it clear that the initiative is addressed, on the one hand, to those considering the possibility of returning and, on the other hand, to those who wish to remain connected to Cyprus, to collaborate with Cypriot businesses, to transfer know-how or to participate in projects and initiatives being developed in the country.
On the part of Invest Cyprus, the organisation's Vice Chairman, Yangos Hadjiyannis, presented the strong performance of the Cypriot economy and the continuous expansion of the business ecosystem, pointing out that new growth sectors are creating a growing need for specialised human resources and making Cyprus an attractive destination for professionals and businesses.
The Secretary General of the CCCI, Philokypros Roussounides, referred to the role of the Chamber in connecting the labour market with the business community, as well as to the initiatives promoted to enhance the competitiveness of Cypriot businesses through the attraction of talent.
The most substantial part of the event followed the informational part, when representatives of 25 Cypriot and international companies operating in Cyprus held dozens of one-on-one meetings with interested professionals. According to initial indications, the contacts exceeded the organisers' expectations, as the companies expressed strong enthusiasm for the level, quality and breadth of candidates they met.
As reported in InBusinessNews, the discussions that took place were, in many cases, particularly substantive and focused on specific employment prospects, while the profile of those interested covered a wide range of professional specialties and sectors of activity, confirming the wealth of human capital of the Cypriot diaspora.
The two-day event in Birmingham and London also highlighted a significant development for the initiative itself. 'Minds in Cyprus' now seems to have moved from the stage of information and theoretical approach to the stage of substance, interconnection and real professional negotiations, which was a key goal of the organisers from the beginning.
Characteristic was the statement of the Vice Chairman of Invest Cyprus, Yangos Hadjiyannis, who told InBusinessNews that "the goals of the events have been achieved to the maximum and we eagerly await the fruits of the efforts."
With the completion of the mission to the United Kingdom, interest is now turning to the tangible results that will emerge from the contacts of the last few days, both in terms of new hires and business decisions, confirming that the effort to attract talent to Cyprus is taking on increasingly substantial content.
More information about the events, available jobs, incentives and the Opportunities for Talent platform is available on the website: www.mindsincyprus.com
(Source: InBusinessNews)
