UK Cypriots show ‘encouraging’ interest in plan to bring expertise home

In just a few hours, hundreds of Cypriots in London and many more online will hear details of the government’s incentives to bring them back to Cyprus.

The cabinet approved the general action plan on Tuesday and interest in London’s presentation has been “exceptionally encouraging”, leading to moving the event to a larger venue and live streaming it for those who could not secure a seat.

The “strong response is seen as a clear signal of confidence in Cyprus’ future, reflecting the country’s growing reputation in fields like innovation, entrepreneurship and research,” President Nikos Christodoulides said on Tuesday before departing for London.

Speaking before the cabinet meeting, Christodoulides said the Minds in Cyprus effort, in cooperation with the Cyprus chamber of commerce and industry (Keve) and Invest Cyprus, included criteria and incentives for the repatriation of talented Cypriots.

Cyprus is able “to repatriate talent, we need people, we need scientific staff.”

The aim, he said, was to make this happen through “this great effort”.

Also going with him to the UK are senior executives from 20 major companies operating in Cyprus, along with representatives from centres of excellence. Their aim is to showcase the potential of the modern Cypriot job market.

“Today’s Cyprus with strong growth rates, historically low unemployment, record employment levels, more opportunities, and a stable and secure institutional environment that fosters innovation is ready to welcome its people back and invest in their creativity and skills,” Christodoulides said.

Last week, Christodoulides said the campaign was more than tax incentives and was part of the government’s efforts to reshape the economy with a more resilient and competitive model.

Government spokesman Konstantinos Letymbiotis said on Monday that Minds in Cyprus was an “act of faith” towards the Cypriots who left and did well and called on overseas Cypriots to discover the incentives.

Addressing the diaspora in a post on X, Letymbiotis said “we need your talent, experience and knowledge, because we are building a new state-people relationship.

A presidency source told the Cyprus Mail the campaign would initially focus on Europe and the aim was to introduce it in areas where there is a large number of diaspora Cypriots.

In February, the president announced his intention to turn to Cypriot professionals abroad, encouraging them to consider the possibility of returning home.

Cypriots returning to the island will be given tax incentives for individuals, financial incentives for businesses and research organisations interested in employing scientists from abroad, targeted interventions to connect with the labour market and support for their families.

“The action plan is a dynamic tool which can be adapted, evolve and be enriched with new actions,” the presidency source said.

With all this, the government hopes to reconnect with overseas Cypriots and make the economy stronger.

“The main result we pursue is the qualitative and continuous reconnection of Cyprus’ human force abroad – not only through their physical return, but with the structured participation in research, business and development initiatives. We want to enhance the diversity and resilience of the Cypriot economy, to utilise specialised skills, to build a bridge of cooperation and to cultivate trust.”

So far, the interest has been “exceptionally encouraging”.

“Many Cypriots of the diaspora have “rushed to contribute with experiences, documented suggestions and specialised knowledge, much of which has been incorporated in the action plan, while others have been recorded to be utilised in the broader drafting of public policy, in the context of the continuing effort to modernise the state,” the source said.

It added that “the response from the Cypriot community in London surpassed every expectation, so the event has been transferred to a much larger venue.”

Many more will be watching the presentation online.

The return of talented Cypriots is a strategic investment in the human capital of the country.

“These people bring expertise, international experience, innovative ideas and world connections. They can contribute to the internationalisation of the Cypriot economy, the upgrading of research and education, and introduce new approaches to key sectors. Mainly, they bring with them a strong sense of identity. Utilising them is not an issue of numbers – it is a matter of strategy and the future.”

The integration of Cypriots abroad “targets cutting-edge sectors, such as technology, innovation, fiscal issues, pharmaceuticals and clean energy – sectors rapidly evolving in Cyprus and offering an environment of high expertise and dynamic employment.

“We are also focusing on the university and research community, public administration through digital reform and the area of startups and entrepreneurship,” the source said.

The campaign, work on which began this year, is open ended and the next stops have not yet been set.

It “will continue for as long as the interest remains active and substantive.”

Work on the campaign began in early 2025.

“While drafting the action plan, the international good practices were utilised and the suggestions made by ministries, deputy ministries, market bodies and representatives of the diaspora were taken into account.”

Referring particularly to the overseas Cypriots, the source said their contribution was “decisive” and they submitted experience, expertise and policy proposals on how to make this happen.

The London event will showcase Cyprus’ transformation into a thriving business and technology hub, offering a promising home for highly skilled professionals.

A networking reception will follow, offering an opportunity for skilled Cypriot professionals and entrepreneurs in the UK to connect with representatives of Cyprus’ business ecosystem.

Minds in Cyprus is a flagship initiative and London’s Brain Gain event will include remarks and insights from key government officials, leading figures from the Cypriot business community and inspiring testimonials from repatriated professionals who have found rewarding careers and entrepreneurial success upon returning to Cyprus.

According to the agenda, Christodoulides will deliver a keynote address at the late-afternoon event.

The presentation is then separated into two sections: Changing Cyprus: New Horizons for Talent and Enterprise and Why I Went Back: Stories of Return, Belonging and Impact.

Wednesday’s programme can be found on the Minds in Cyprus website here.