Nicosia, Nov 14: In an effort to boost its research capabilities, Cyprus is seeking cooperation with India and France in setting up technology parks, while discussing plans by Harvard University to establish a regional research centre on the island. In an interview with a news agency, Cyprus' Minister of Commerce, Industry and Tourism Giorgos Lillikas announced that in January a meeting will take place here between the government of Cyprus and Indian firms, in order to explore the possibility of creating an Information Technology (IT) park.
At the same time, France has expressed interest in building in Cyprus a technology park of a more general nature, modelled on the Sofia Antipolis Park in Nice, that would carry out research in microbiology, biotechnology, nanotechnology and biomedicine.
Towards the end of November, a delegation from the chamber of Nice that runs the Sofia Antipolis Technology Park will visit Cyprus to discuss the issue.
In addition to India and France, the Cyprus government is close to reaching agreement with Harvard University, which is keen on establishing a research centre in Cyprus with programmes focusing on the environment and public health. Bureau Report