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Cyprus Reinforces Strategic Influence as a Regional Energy and Trade Hub

Event Overview and Key Insights

The Cyprus Chamber of Commerce and Industry (Keve) hosted a pivotal event titled “The Geostrategic Position of Cyprus in the Modern World,” drawing an influential audience from business, government, and academia. Strategic analyst, mathematician, and author Nikos Lygeros delivered a keynote address that examined contemporary regional dynamics and emerging commercial corridors in the Eastern Mediterranean.

Analyzing Quarter-Century Projects

During his presentation, Lygeros provided an incisive analysis of the Great Sea Interconnector (GSI) project, emphasizing its critical role in enhancing Cyprus’ energy security. He argued that the GSI not only strengthens the nation’s energy grid but also unlocks significant business opportunities by integrating Cyprus with the broader European energy market.

Emerging Geopolitical Corridors

Lygeros expanded on the development of a novel geopolitical and commercial corridor spanning India, Saudi Arabia, Israel, Cyprus, Greece, and Italy. This emerging network, he noted, solidifies Cyprus’ status as a strategic nexus in the Eastern Mediterranean, fostering regional stability and economic growth.

Policy Endorsements and Strategic Advocacy

In attendance, the President of Keve reiterated the chamber’s commitment to national strategic advice, underscoring the importance of collaborative policy-making for long-term stability. Energy Minister George Papanastasiou also addressed the gathering, highlighting robust government backing for major energy projects that complement Cyprus’ evolving position.

Audience Engagement and Forward-Looking Initiatives

The event concluded with an interactive discussion, reinforcing the high level of engagement among participants on matters critical to the nation’s energy and strategic policy framework. Keve affirmed its dedication to hosting further initiatives that promote strategic foresight and informed dialogue within the business community and beyond.

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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