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Electronic Invoicing To Become Standard For Cyprus Public Contracts

Enhancing Payment Efficiency

Cyprus is expanding the use of electronic invoicing for companies involved in public sector projects as part of the government’s broader digital transformation strategy. Under the new framework introduced by the Deputy Ministry of Research, Innovation and Digital Policy, electronic invoices linked to public contracts will receive priority processing, with payments expected within 20 days following receipt or approval. Authorities said the measure is intended to improve cash flow for businesses while accelerating payment procedures across the public sector.

Streamlining Bureaucratic Processes

The transition to electronic invoicing is also expected to reduce reliance on paper-based administrative procedures and simplify invoice management processes for both businesses and government departments. Digital invoicing systems will additionally support automated payment flows, reduce manual errors and improve access to archived transaction records. According to officials, the changes are designed to strengthen transparency, operational efficiency and transaction security.

Facilitating Public Sector Engagement

The Deputy Ministry is also promoting the use of an electronic invoice acceptance system via the existing PEPPOL Access Point managed by the Central Government. This integration further simplifies the invoice submission process, ensuring that public contracts are executed with both speed and reliability.

Driving A Modern, Competitive Economy

This strategic move is a crucial component of the state’s broader digital transformation agenda. By embedding cutting-edge digital procedures into public services, the government is paving the way for enhanced service delivery and a more competitive, innovation-driven market.

Key Benefits Include:

  • Accelerated Payments: Electronic invoices will be processed with priority, ensuring settlements within 20 days.
  • Reduced Bureaucracy: Elimination of paper-based processes minimizes errors and saves valuable resources.
  • Enhanced Transparency and Security: Secure digital archiving offers full visibility into invoice histories, fostering accountability.

With the implementation of electronic invoicing, both the public sector and private enterprises stand to gain substantial operational advantages, bolstering the country’s position in the digital age.

Only 1% Of Cyprus Farms Use Precision Farming Technologies

Cyprus remains one of the European Union’s least digitised agricultural economies, with just 1% of farms using precision farming technologies in 2023, according to Eurostat.

The findings come as the EU continues to encourage the adoption of digital tools aimed at improving agricultural productivity, efficiency and sustainability.

Internet Access Expands, But Digital Uptake Lags

Internet access has improved across the bloc, although adoption remains uneven. Eurostat found that 43% of EU farms had internet access in 2023, with northern and central European countries leading the way.

Denmark, Germany, Slovakia, Latvia, the Czech Republic and Austria all reported internet access rates above 90%.

Greater connectivity, however, has not translated into widespread digital adoption. Farm management information systems, which help farmers manage day-to-day operations, were used by only about 11% of EU farms. France was a notable exception, with around 60% of farms using the technology.

Precision Farming Concentrated In Larger Operations

Robotics adoption also remained relatively limited, with only about 7% of EU farms using robotic technologies. Overall, around 18% of farms with utilised agricultural area employed at least one precision farming technology or practice in 2023.

These included robotics for plant protection, band spraying, variable-rate application, precision crop monitoring and soil analysis. Despite representing fewer than one in five farms, these holdings accounted for around 44% of the EU’s utilised agricultural area.

The figures suggest that precision farming remains concentrated among larger agricultural businesses, where investment in digital technologies is typically easier to support.

Cyprus Lags Behind EU Leaders

Luxembourg, Finland and Estonia recorded the highest shares of utilised agricultural area managed by farms using precision farming technologies, each exceeding 75%.

At the other end of the ranking, Cyprus recorded just 1%, while Greece and Romania reported between 10% and 15%. The results indicate that Cyprus remains at an early stage of digital adoption in agriculture, even as precision farming becomes more widespread across parts of the European Union.

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