The Deputy Ministry of Research, Innovation and Digital Policy on Tuesday announced that it has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with UAE’s Khazna, the largest data centre operator in the region, for joint projects.
The MoU was signed during Deputy Minister Nicodemos Damianou’s official visit to Dubai, accompanied by Chief Scientist for Research, Innovation, and Technology Demetris Skourides.
Damianou expressed enthusiasm for the agreement, saying, “We are excited to be entering this promising partnership with Khazna, the largest data centre operator in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), and a prominent member of the renowned G42 conglomerate.”
He added that the collaboration aims to position “Cyprus as a key player in the global digital landscape,” laying the groundwork for further cooperation across various sectors with G42.
The ministry explained that Cyprus, with its strategic location linking Europe, Asia, and Africa, has already established itself as a key data gateway for businesses aiming for secure and scalable data access to European markets.
“Our country is already well connected in terms of submarine fibre-optic cabling, with a robust network of 12 submarine cables connecting the island to global markets, as well as satellite teleports, and we are looking to invest further in this area,” Damianou stated.
In addition, the ministry said that this partnership not only enhances Cyprus’ digital capabilities, but also opens avenues for synergies in artificial intelligence, smart mobility, and space solutions.
“This partnership sets the foundation for exploring synergies in areas beyond infrastructure, such as artificial intelligence, smart mobility, and space solutions, areas that are essential to our vision of a digitally advanced Cyprus,” the minister stated.
Moreover, according to Damianou, the collaboration with Khazna aligns with Cyprus’ transition to a high-tech, customer-centric model and reflects the country’s commitment to accelerating its digital economy.
“By partnering with Khazna, leveraging on their expertise and advanced solutions, we aim to drive our digital agenda forward, across public and private sectors, create new business and economic opportunities, and ultimately benefit our society and future generations,” Damianou added.
Echoing this sentiment, Khazna’s CEO, Hassan Alnaqbi, welcomed the cooperation, saying “we are excited to have initiated an open dialogue with the government of Cyprus to explore opportunities where Khazna can contribute to the nation’s digital transformation efforts”.
“As a leader in providing hyperscale digital infrastructure, we look forward to further exploring innovative solutions that will enhance the country’s digital capabilities and further strengthen its position as a growing hub for technology in the region,” Hassan Alnaqbi concluded.
