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Let me begin by warmly congratulating IMH and IN BUSINESS Magazine, who pioneered an institution that has now become an established one, awarding businesses and entrepreneurs who have excelled and stood out through their activities and contribution. I believe tonight's awards take on special significance given the difficult economic environment and the multiple challenges we face. The ongoing crises of recent years have resulted in destabilising trends in the economy at an international level and have created a number of challenges such as increased production costs, disruptions in supply chains, labour market shortages, and many others in a highly competitive international environment. At the same time, in addition to what I have just said, we are called upon, as a state and as businesses, to respond successfully to the challenges posed by digital transformation and the green transition. I see party leaders and representatives here and I would like to send the message that I hope that for the recovery and resilience fund in particular there will be cooperation with the House of Representatives, so that not a single euro of this important, crucial EU assistance is lost. At the same time, I would also like to refer more specifically to digital transformation and to tell you tonight with absolute sincerity that, three months after coming to power, looking you in the eye, I want to tell you that the state alone cannot achieve digital transformation. So, in the next few days, publicly, we will invite the companies that deal with this particular subject to work together, just as it happened with the case of Greece, to work towards digital transformation. We are not just going to say that as a state we will work, we will do everything we can to achieve digital transformation and then three or four years later we have no results. So, three months after taking office, tonight, I reiterate that we look forward to your cooperation, to working with the business community to move forward with the digital transformation of the country. Despite the multiple challenges, I have a strong belief that, in the multi-layered and competitive environment we are experiencing, we can successfully respond and find effective solutions if we join forces, if we work collectively, away from populist or petty political agendas, and work for a better, stronger, more resilient, more competitive economy. Addressing the business world, I would like to say that I and the Government approach you personally as Partners and Companions in this effort. After all, as I truly believe and often say, your success will be our success, and our successful governance will be your success. The fact is that I have been and remain an ardent advocate and will continue to be an advocate of continued collaboration between the state and the private sector, as it has been proven over time that through collective effort, and by leveraging all available experience and expertise, synergies are created that clearly lead to better outcomes for all. Private initiative needs space to grow but also support from the executive when needed. Support that can take the form of funding, cutting red tape, ongoing reforms, optimising the regulatory framework or even guidance through a clear vision for the economy that is unchanged and unaffected by electoral cycles and electoral processes. The fact is that Cyprus, through your own business development and the contribution of the state, has shown a dynamic development in recent years, having demonstrated its resilience and competitiveness. And it is in this dynamic that we want to invest, to give continuity and further impetus as a Government, with policies aimed precisely at strengthening the competitiveness of the Cypriot economy, on the basis of a broader vision for a new, modern and expanded economic growth model. Among our key objectives is to create the necessary conditions for the growth and expansion of Cypriot businesses, to increase trade and employment, and to attract productive and quality investments that will create quality jobs. And these can be achieved through the expansion of the productive base of our economy, an absolutely achievable goal judging by the presence tonight of distinguished companies in all the award categories. Within the framework of the implementation of our governance programme, and taking into account that it is now generally accepted that our tax system needs modernisation and simplification, one of our first decisions was to embark on a tax transformation effort. The main pillars of the tax reform being promoted are to increase the competitiveness of Cyprus' tax model, reduce the administrative burden on taxpayers and, of course, businesses and, at the same time, provide a fairer redistribution of the tax burden, while maintaining fiscal neutrality. At the same time, the aim is to align our tax policies with the objectives of the European Green Deal, in the context of the green tax reform being promoted.
Another important priority is to strengthen our country's extroversion, attracting more foreign investment and promoting our interconnection with foreign ecosystems, exploiting the dynamics of the digital economy. In this way, we will further encourage, through a specific strategy, extroversion and partnerships and synergies to achieve economies of scale. I am very pleased to note tonight that successful examples of important and innovative companies that have chosen Cyprus as a base for international operations are among the nominees for the award.
Recognizing the importance of promotional activities in the success of our products in foreign markets, our goal is to increase the visibility of Cypriot products and enhance the image of our country by utilizing the Economic Diplomacy Strategy, which was adopted in 2019, and the Diplomatic Missions of the Cypriot Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Recognizing the importance of promotional activities in the success of our products in foreign markets, our goal is to increase the visibility of Cypriot products and enhance the image of our country by utilizing the Economic Diplomacy Strategy, which was adopted in 2019, and the Diplomatic Missions of the Cypriot Ministry of Foreign Affairs. In my address, I could not fail to mention the commitment of this Government to the issue of reforms, which for me is a top priority and a personal stake. On the one hand, there is the need to implement important reforms that have been decided, for example, in e-government, as a necessary condition for accelerating the digital transformation of both the State and businesses. You understand the benefits that will accrue through this reform. But at the same time, there is also the need to promote new reforms, such as the fiscal transformation of the country, housing policy, subsidy policy. At the same time, we must dare, without in any way, and I do not want there to be any doubt, to influence the philosophy of important reforms that have been carried out, such as the GESY, the EEO, which are important social reforms that we fully support. But we should dare to change points that do not affect the overall philosophy, so that these important reforms can be even more effective and sustainable. Tonight we honour the nominees and winners of the In Business Awards. They have been recognized as the best businesses, whose creativity and innovation are helping to strengthen business in our country. All the companies participating in tonight's event are raising the bar, inspiring other businesses to follow in their footsteps, enhancing the competitiveness of our economy, and making Cypriot businesses a model at regional and international level.
As a state, we will always be at your side precisely to support your actions. Your success is our success. (PM/IΣ)
Contents of this article including associated images are belongs PIO
Views & opinions expressed are those of the author and/or PIO
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