Cyprus deputy minister visits US to deepen innovation and investment ties
Cyprus’ deputy minister of research, innovation and digital policy, Nicodemos Damianou, has travelled to the United States on a working visit to strengthen bilateral ties in innovation and technology, the deputy ministry said in a post on Monday. During the trip, Damianou is scheduled to hold contacts with state officials, focusing on expanding collaboration in key sectors linked to digital transformation and technological development.
His itinerary includes taking part in a roundtable organised by Invest Cyprus in collaboration with fDi Intelligence, the Financial Times’ investment-focused publication, aimed at promoting Cyprus as a modern and reliable business and investment destination.
The mission forms part of a broader strategy to enhance Cyprus’ international profile in innovation and attract high-quality investment, particularly from major global markets such as the United States. It also underscores the growing role of technology diplomacy as countries seek to position themselves competitively within the global digital economy.
The visit builds on recent initiatives to strengthen Cyprus–US relations across investment, technology and entrepreneurship. In April 2026, Cyprus launched the Plug and Play Cyprus Innovation Centre, bringing a Silicon Valley-based platform to the island to help position Cyprus as a regional hub for innovation and investment.
The centre links Cyprus to a global network spanning more than 60 locations, connecting start-ups, investors, corporates and innovation partners. It is expected to support around 60 start-ups and innovative companies through incubation and acceleration programmes, while creating approximately 500 jobs in the medium term.
The project followed President Nikos Christodoulides’ visit to the United States in April 2025, during which high-level contacts in New York and San Francisco helped lay the groundwork. That mission sought to attract investment in sectors such as shipping, technology and energy, with a high-level delegation engaging investors and industry leaders across multiple US cities.
Invest Cyprus played a central role in organising targeted engagements with investment banks, private equity firms and technology companies, including specialised roundtable discussions. More recently, President Christodoulides announced a continued outward-looking strategy involving business missions to key international markets, including planned engagements in the United States.
These efforts come amid heightened geopolitical uncertainty, reinforcing the importance of proactive economic diplomacy and diversified investment flows. Together, these developments highlight a sustained push by Cyprus to deepen ties with the United States, leveraging innovation, investment and strategic partnerships to strengthen its position as a regional business hub.