Cyprus Business Now: women in Stem, Mission Possible, cybersecurity
In addition, as a seasoned professional with extensive experience in operations management and venture capital, Tanya’s commitment to advancing women’s roles in STEM is both personal and professional.
Furthermore, under her leadership, TechIsland and Women in Tech® Cyprus are co-organising the upcoming Women in STEM Cyprus Forum, which exemplifies this dedication, aiming to foster dialogue and collaboration among key stakeholders.
Speaking to Cyprus Mail, Tanya shared her insights on the forum’s objectives, inspirations, and the significant impact she hopes it will have on future generations of women in technology.
She explained, “The incredible growth of the Women in Tech® Cyprus community, an initiative facilitated by TechIsland and Adsterra, was a key factor that led to the decision to organize this Forum,” Tanya said.
She continued, “Over the past year, we’ve seen tremendous participation and support, which highlights just how crucial it is to encourage and uplift women pursuing careers in tech.” Additionally, Tanya added that “a year after joining the global Women in Tech community, we felt that it was time to take this a step further.”
Organised by the Cyprus Research and Innovation Foundation (RIF), the event aimed to inspire curiosity and encourage young minds to explore the potential of science in everyday life.
Held under the auspices of President Nikos Christodoulides, the 18th edition of the event was attended by hundreds of researchers, entrepreneurs, and scientists from universities, research organisations, centres of excellence, and innovative companies from all over the country.
Moreover, with more than 60 booths showcasing the latest scientific advancements, visitors had the opportunity to engage with interactive experiments, explore specialised equipment, and participate in activities designed for all ages.
Particularly noteworthy, over 3,000 schoolchildren attended, making the event a strong educational platform.
Furthermore, the night featured an awards ceremony, which celebrated students who excelled in the ebook and Science Unfold competitions, both organised by RIF.
In addition, the exhibit by BIOBANK.CY Centre of Excellence, titled “Swimming in the Cypriot gene pool, together with zebrafish!” earned the top prize for best booth. A highlight of the evening was the introduction of the Design Thinking Challenge, aimed at students aged 16 and over, which captivated participants with its focus on innovative problem-solving.
Despite ongoing macroeconomic uncertainty, including political disruptions from elections and budget scrutiny, platform adoption across key vendors played a crucial role in maintaining robust growth, according to the latest data from Canalys, a technology industry analyst firm.
While the growth rate came in slightly below Canalys’ best-case forecast, it highlights the continued importance of cybersecurity for organisations across the world.
Companies are prioritising cyber defences, even as they navigate prolonged deal cycles and budget constraints.
Moreover, cross-selling of cybersecurity platforms emerged as a primary strategy for vendors to capture market share, with many focusing on expanding their suite of services and consolidating product offerings to attract customers.
The top 12 vendors in the cybersecurity market were among the primary beneficiaries of this platform-driven approach.
Closer to home, tourism in Cyprus remains an important part of the economy, but Deputy Minister of Tourism Costas Koumis warns against complacency.
During an event celebrating World Tourism Day 2024 on Friday, in Nicosia, Koumis stressed the need to redefine tourism’s role amid ongoing challenges such as climate change.
Speaking at the event, organised under the auspices of the President, Nikos Christodoulides, Koumis expressed caution despite recent growth in tourism.
He noted, “The positive course of tourism over the last two years is not suitable for either triumphalism or complacency,” he said, adding, “The big challenge now is to redefine the role of tourism for the economy, entrepreneurship, the environment, and society.”
This year’s World Tourism Day theme, “Tourism and Peace,” chosen by the World Tourism Organisation (UN Tourism), underscored the crucial role tourism plays in peace-building.
The event began with a message from the UNWTO Secretary-General, Zurab Pololikashvili, who emphasised how travel and cultural exchange can foster reconciliation and peace globally.
In his welcoming remarks, Koumis stressed that this topic is perhaps more relevant than ever. He concluded, “Tourism is emerging as one of the most powerful values that can bring people closer together and promote peace, international cooperation, and friendship.”
The Cyprus Stock Exchange (CSE) recorded gains during the first session of the week.
The General Index closed at 192.04 points, marking an increase of 0.53 per cent. The FTSE/CySE 20 Index also saw a rise, closing at 116.91 points, up by 0.54 per cent. The total value of transactions amounted to €1.2 million.
Among the most notable performances, Hellenic Bank shares hit a record high of €4, with a 1.78 per cent increase and a turnover of €949.8k. In contrast, the share price of Bank of Cyprus fell by 1.48 per cent to €4.67, with a volume of €163.5k, while its CSE listing closed at €4.64, down 1.28 per cent.
Additionally, BOCH announced the acquisition of 21,165 treasury shares at an average price of €4.82 on the CSE, and 11,896 shares on the SA at €4.83.
CCC shares rose by 2.04 per cent, closing at €0.75, with a turnover of €18k.
In corporate news, Salamis Tours reported a profit of €7.7m for the first half of 2024, compared to €6m in the same period last year.
The Mall of Cyprus saw a profit increase to €4.4m, while the Mall of Engomi moved from a loss of €317.3k in 2023 to a profit of €170.5k this year. Philoktimatiki reported losses of €308.1k, compared to €240.8k in the previous year.