Valentinos Polykarpou: Initiatives and actions under the broader brain gain strategy are steps towards the right direction

TechIsland, Cyprus' largest IT association, will be represented at the “Minds in Cyprus” initiative in London by leaders from four companies on its Board of Directors: Wargaming, Exness, payabl., and ASBIS.

"Minds in Cyprus", organised by the government as part of a broader effort to repatriate Cypriot talent, is taking place tonight at Guildhall, the heart of London’s administration.

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Valentinos Polykarpou, Chairman of TechIsland & General Manager of Wargaming, said the companies' participation reflects the tech sector’s commitment to actively supporting efforts to repatriate highly skilled Cypriots.

In a statement on behalf of TechIsland, Polykarpou said the technology sector is one of the fastest-growing pillars of the Cypriot economy, contributing an estimated €8.5 billion—approximately 16% of the country’s Gross Value Added (GVA). "This impressive and steady growth showcases the sector’s dynamism, resilience, and long-term potential. To sustain this momentum, however, we must invest in one of our most valuable resources: human capital," he pointed out.

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For many years, Cypriots left the country to study abroad and did not return, as greater opportunities awaited them elsewhere—multinational companies, higher salaries, and clear career advancement, he pointed out. "Today, however, Cyprus can offer all of that," said Polykarpou. "We have a thriving tech ecosystem, international companies, competitive compensation, and a high quality of life. Cyprus is now a place where one can build a world-class tech career."

Initiatives and actions under the broader brain gain strategy are steps towards the right direction, as they aim to bring back the knowledge and experience of Cypriots abroad, further strengthening the country’s development trajectory, he said, before concluding: "As TechIsland, the largest business association for tech companies in Cyprus, we will continue to support such initiatives, with the long-term goal of establishing Cyprus as a hub for technology and innovation, recognising that close collaboration between the public and private sectors is essential to success."