Cyprus is emerging as a progressive hub for AI, advanced technology, and innovation-based economic development, according to Chief Scientist for Research, Innovation and Technology, Demetris Skourides, during a high-level visit to the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

According to an official statement, the visit forms part of Cyprus’ broader strategic framework under Vision 2035, aimed at promoting cross-border collaborations, attracting international investment, and boosting the global competitiveness of the island's research and innovation ecosystem.

During the official visit, memoranda of understanding (MoUs) were signed between Cyprus and the UAE, as well as between Cyprus and India. Notably, the MoU with the UAE paves the way for expanding the Cyprus-originated Reflect Festival to Dubai. The signing ceremony took place at Dubai Silicon Oasis, under the auspices of the Dubai Integrated Economic Zones Authority (DIEZ), and in the presence of Dr. Mohammed Al Zarooni, Executive Chairman of DIEZ, and Demetris Skourides, who represented Deputy Minister of Research, Innovation and Digital Policy, Nikodemos Damianou.

The MoU was signed by Stylianos Lambrou, co-founder and CEO of The Doers Company; Dusan Duffek, co-founder of The Doers Company and Managing Partner at Zero One Hundred; and Badr Buhannad, Deputy Director General of Dubai Silicon Oasis.

The Cypriot delegation attended the ceremony upon invitation by Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, Chairman and CEO of Emirates Airline and Emirates Group, Second Deputy Chairman of Dubai’s Executive Council, and Chairman of the Dubai Civil Aviation Authority. Also present were Dr. Juma Al Matrooshi, Director General of Dubai Silicon Oasis; Dr. Konstantinos Kleovoulou, Director of Research and Innovation at the Cyprus Deputy Ministry of Digital Policy; and Giorgos Partasides, Commercial Counselor of the Ministry of Energy, Commerce, and Industry of Cyprus in Dubai.

Additionally, the Chief Scientist, together with Dr. Al Matrooshi and Badr Buhannad, attended the signing of another MoU between HT Labs—the innovation and product division of India’s HT Media Group—and The Doers Company. The agreement was signed by Avinash Mudaliar, CEO and co-founder of HT Labs, along with Stylianos Lambrou and Dusan Duffek.

This tripartite cooperation among Cyprus, UAE, and India focuses on artificial intelligence, digital infrastructure, and entrepreneurship, with plans for Reflect Festival to gain Indian media coverage and expand to Dubai in 2026.

During the visit, Skourides engaged with government officials, startup founders, institutional partners, and investors, emphasizing Cyprus’ commitment to becoming a regional launchpad for collaboration and tech leadership.

Key meetings included:

• Ralph Debbas, CEO of W Motors, the Middle East’s first luxury high-performance car manufacturer.

• Hans Christensen, VP of Dubai Technology Entrepreneur Campus (Dtec).

• Anna Lootah, Director General of the Dubai Airport Freezone Authority (DAFZA).

• Representatives of SIG, a global leader in sustainable packaging.

• Mustafa Al Hariri, Director of External Relations at Rochester Institute of Technology – Dubai, which focuses on applied innovation and emerging technology talent development.

Skourides also met with Dr. Marwan Al Zarouni, Head of AI at Dubai’s Department of Economy and Tourism and CEO of Dubai Blockchain Center, to explore how small countries can adopt AI across public and private sectors. Discussions included Dubai’s success in reducing public sector costs by $1.3 billion through blockchain technology.

He also held talks with startups like DistiChain, a blockchain-based supply chain integration firm, and Datanuum, a data analytics company considering opening a European office in Cyprus. Additionally, conversations were held with global and regional venture capital funds such as Oraseya Capital.

A key highlight was the meeting with Dr. Waddah S. Ghanem Al Hashmi, Vice President of the International Marine Forum for Oil Companies, Board Member of the UAE Shipping Association, and Chair of the UAE’s National Committee on Occupational Health and Safety (ESMA). The focus was on cooperation in shipping, energy, and health sectors.

To conclude the visit, Skourides participated in a podcast hosted by Anton Golub, Chief Business Officer at Freedx, and Dr. Dimitrios Zamboglou, UAE CEO at BlockFills. He discussed Cyprus’ national AI strategy, its research institutions’ potential, and the country's vision to serve as a trusted regional gateway for innovation, investment, and emerging technologies.