Growth depends on digital and green skills says minister

Labour Minister Yannis Panayiotou on Thursday spoke about the importance of digital and green skills in supporting Cyprus’ economic growth at a meeting of the Human Resources Development Authority’s (Anad) new board.

The meeting, attended by Deputy Minister of Research, Innovation and Digital Policy Nicodemos Damianou and Environment Commissioner Antonia Theodosiou, focused on Cyprus’ policy framework for advancing digital and green capabilities.

“The achievement of the growth objectives of the Cypriot economy is based on the further development of the skills of our country’s human resources, particularly in relation to the green and digital dimension of the transition to the new era,” Panayiotou said.

Panayiotou referred to Anad’s role, noting that “the presence at the first meeting of the authority’s new board of directors, with the participation of the Deputy Minister responsible for digital policy and the commissioner responsible for the environment, is indicative of the importance that the government attaches to this objective.”

He also pledged government support for the Anad board “so that we are able to make even more effective use of the role of vocational learning and development to achieve our country’s development goals.”

Damianou reaffirmed the government’s commitment to the digital transition, noting the recent cabinet decision to issue 100,000 electronic identities to Cypriot citizens.

“This is exactly what brings us here today, to confirm the importance – in this context – of people’s digital skills,” he said, adding that citizens and professionals must be digitally literate to fully utilise these tools.

Regarding the rollout of electronic signatures, Damianou said “this important tool is now being implemented.” He added: “Our legislation is ready, this tool is available, anyone can obtain it on their own, they can start signing documents electronically with the same legal force as a handwritten signature, and what the government will do is to help Cypriot citizens obtain this important tool so that it will act as an incentive for the market to start offering solutions.”

The state was already on board. “We, as a public sector, are committed to integrating the use of electronic identity, it is already integrated in CY login, and other services of the state,” he said.

Both Damianou and Theodosiou pledged to collaborate with Anad to develop digital and green skills nationwide.

Newly appointed Anad Chairman Constantinos Fellas called the discussion productive, saying, “the presence of the minister, the deputy minister, and the commissioner is indicative of the importance of Anad for the economy and society of Cyprus.”

“I personally look forward to the continuation and deepening of the cooperation of Anad with all stakeholders, since only through the institutions of a harmonious cooperation, we will achieve our mutually beneficial goals,” Fellas concluded.