In the framework of the promotion of Blue Economy, research and innovation in Cyprus, the Limassol Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) participates as partner at the European project MaRITeC-X (Marine and Maritime Research, Innovation, Technology Centre of Excellence). The project is funded by the EU funding tool, HORIZON 2020 Teaming for Excellence and it aims to create a Centre of Excellence in Cyprus that will promote and advance the scientific and business innovation on Marine and Maritime issues in Eastern Mediterranean region. The Centre of Excellence will be aligned with the overall Smart Specialization Strategy for Cyprus, focusing on key priority sectors such as energy, tourism, transportation, ICT and environment.
The project is considered to be one of the top project-proposals submitted in European level and successfully approved during at the first evaluation stage. Having the approval at the next stage, MaRITeC-X consortium has received 400,000 euros grant to draft a comprehensive, techno-economic business plan which will be submitted within one year for final evaluation. In case of business plan approval, the consortium will receive an amount of approximately 15 million euros grant and an addition similar government fund for the development of infrastructure and the recruitment of academic and research personnel from various field, in order to contribute to the implementation of the project.
The consortium includes the following partners:
1. Limassol Chamber of Commerce and Industry
2. Municipality of Larnaca (project coordinator)
3. Marine Institute of Ireland
4. SmartBay
5. University of Southampton
6. Maritime Institute of Eastern Mediterranean
7. Geolmaging Ltd
8. Signalgenerix Ltd
It is of utmost importance to have at the consortium, the partners from Ireland and the UK who will actually transfer their knowledge and expertise of their successful practices to Cyprus. The kick-off meeting and the official presentation of the project took place on the 5th and 6th of October. During the kick-off meeting, partners decided on the next steps of the project and they all present the working packages that are responsible to implement. The LCCI was represented by the Senior Officer, Nicholas Iordanous and the European Projects Officer, Rena Filippou. The LCCI is responsible for the drafting of the business plan, however in cooperation and contribution with all the consortium partners. In collaboration with LCCI, Signalgenerix presented the methodology and work which is going to take place regarding the drafting of the business plan. Additionally, partners exchanged views on how to precede with the implementation of project actions, so this to be successful for the creation of those conditions, which will allow the further funding of the project at the final evaluation stage.
During the official presentation of the project many distinguished guests and supporters of the project attended the event where the objectives, the general plan and the partners were presented. Greetings were addressed by the Mayor of Larnaca, a representative from the Ministry of Transport, Communication and Works, the Permanent Secretary of the Directorate General for European Programmes, Coordination and Development, the Deputy Director General of Cyprus Shipping Chamber and a representative of Cyprus Scientific and Technical Chamber.
MaRITeC-X is regarded to be a major project and if succeed, this will be of a significant importance for Cyprus. It will bring great benefits for all the sectors of the economy, especially for the boost of the Blue Economy. Limassol is closely linked with such development for various reasons; it hosts the main passenger and commercial port of the island with additional services for the energy sector; it hosts two marinas; it has a coastline of 17km; it is regarded as the European Capital of ship management, etc. MaRITeC –X is expected to cover the needs and infrastructures which will support the ecosystem of Marine and Maritime Industry in the fields of research and innovation, a prospect that does not exist nowadays.
For more information, follow the link: http://www.maritec-x.eu
