Agenda
Welcome Coffee & Pre-Networking
Opening Ceremony
Official Welcome:Welcoming / keynote speech by Demetris Skourides, Chief Scientist for Research, Innovation and Technology of the Republic of Cyprus, Chairman of the National AI Taskforce, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Research and Innovation Foundation (RIF)
Opening Address:H.E. Mr. Manish Manish, High Commissioner of India to Cyprus
Opening Address:Marios Tannousis, CEO, Invest Cyprus
Opening Address:Philokypros Roussounides, Secretary General of the Cyprus Chamber of Commerce and Industry
Opening Remarks:Charles Charalambous, Chairman, The Chartered Institute of Securities and Investment (CISI)
Opening Remarks:Cyprus International Business Association (CIBA)
Keynote: Why Cyprus Now: Policy, Incentives and Strategic Advantage.
Positioning Cyprus as a competitive destination for fintech, AI and innovation-driven companies, highlighting key government incentives and frameworks supporting growth and investment.
Keynote: The Rise of Agentic Finance.
Moving beyond Generative AI to “Agentic Finance.” How AI agents are now performing autonomous treasury management, real-time risk scoring, and 24/7 customer problem resolution without human intervention.
Networking Coffee Break
Thought Leadership Fireside Chat – Part I: Leading Through Disruption – Strategy, Innovation & Human-Centred Leadership in the Age of AI.
Featuring Prof. Steyn Heckroodt and Dr. Tariq Qureishy, this session will explore how leaders can connect strategy, people, technology and execution to navigate disruption and build future-focused organisations. The discussion will examine the leadership capabilities required to drive transformation while retaining trust, accountability, purpose and a distinctly human-centred approach.
Thought Leadership Fireside Chat – Part II: From Entrepreneurial Vision to Global Scale – Building Businesses for the Next Economy.
Featuring Dr. Tariq Qureishy and Prof. Steyn Heckroodt, this session will draw on their international entrepreneurial and executive experience to examine how bold ideas are translated into scalable businesses. The discussion will address disruptive thinking, market expansion, responsible innovation, organisational resilience and the strategic choices required to create sustainable growth in an AI-driven economy.
The CFS Global Thought Leadership Roundtable: Entrepreneurship at the Intersection of Strategy, Fintech & Retail.
Featuring Demetris Skourides, Chief Scientist of the Republic of Cyprus; Dr. Waddah Ghanem Al Hashmi; Pavan R. Chawla; and Avinash Mudaliar, alongside other internationally recognised entrepreneurs, strategists, innovators and industry leaders.
This first-of-its-kind global roundtable in Cyprus will examine how entrepreneurial thinking, strategic leadership, financial innovation, media, technology and retail transformation are converging to create scalable businesses, differentiated customer propositions and new growth opportunities.
Bringing together perspectives from government, leadership, entrepreneurship, fintech, retail, investment, media and innovation, the discussion will explore how organisations can respond to emerging technologies, changing consumer expectations and the demands of an increasingly AI-driven global economy.
Networking Lunch
Keynote: Cyprus as an AI & Fintech Hub Across Continents.
A strategic perspective on Cyprus’ evolving role as a bridge between Europe, the GCC and India, positioning the country as a hub for AI-driven financial innovation, entrepreneurship and international expansion.
Thought Leadership Fireside Chat: Beyond Automation – Autonomous Technologies and the Next Intelligent Economy.
Dr. Waddah Ghanem Al Hashmi, Dr. Fares K. Alaboud and Turki Fageera explore how autonomous technologies are moving beyond task automation to reshape strategy, service design, decision-making and business models, and what leaders must do to build intelligent, human-centred organisations.
Panel: Chief AI Officers in Finance – Success Stories from the Front Line.
Featuring senior AI and innovation leaders, the discussion will examine how financial institutions are moving AI from experimentation to measurable deployment across customer service, risk, operations, fraud prevention, compliance and employee productivity.
Keynote: Fraudsters Are Using AI – Are Financial Institutions Keeping Up?
Fraud is evolving into real-time, AI-powered attacks, requiring financial institutions to adopt network-level, behavioural and adaptive detection capabilities that can respond at machine speed.
Networking Coffee Break
Fireside Chat: Retail Rewired – How Fintech Innovation Is Transforming Commerce.
Dr. Fares K. Alaboud and Avinash Mudaliar discuss how fintech innovation is driving significant change across the retail industry through embedded finance, intelligent payments, data-led personalisation, loyalty, digital identity and frictionless customer journeys. The session will examine how retailers can use technology to create stronger propositions, new revenue models and more connected consumer experiences.
Panel: From Start-up to Scale-up – Building the Acceleration and Investment Ecosystem.
Featuring ecosystem leaders, this one-hour panel will examine how accelerators, corporate innovation platforms, professional services firms and investors can provide founders with the capital, expertise, networks and international market access required to scale, while strengthening Cyprus’ position as a launchpad for high-growth ventures.
Closing Remarks
Summary of the Summit and introduction to the Cyprus Fintech Summit Business & Investment Forum.
Closing Networking Party
A high-level networking experience designed to consolidate relationships, unlock opportunities and extend discussions initiated throughout the Summit.
Registration, Welcome Coffee & Networking
Delegates will be welcomed with traditional Cypriot refreshments while networking with government officials, ambassadors, investors, financial institutions, business leaders and international delegations ahead of the official opening.
Official Opening Ceremony
Strategic Opening KeynoteCyprus at the Crossroads of Global Growth: Economic Diplomacy, Strategic Connectivity & Europe’s External Partnerships
Keynote by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Cyprus
This opening keynote will set the strategic context for the Forum, examining how Cyprus is using economic diplomacy, its European Union membership and its regional relationships to connect Europe with India, the Gulf and Emerging Africa. It will address Cyprus’ role in advancing trade, investment, security, energy and digital connectivity across a rapidly changing geopolitical and economic landscape.
High-Level Panel: From Diplomacy to DeliveryBuilding Cyprus’ Global Growth Corridors
Cyprus is moving from broad international positioning towards a more targeted corridor strategy. This high-level discussion will bring together government, institutional and private-sector leaders to identify the mechanisms required to convert diplomatic relationships into investment projects, commercial partnerships and measurable economic outcomes.
Discussion Topics- Cyprus’ economic diplomacy and international business strategy
- Leveraging the outcomes of Cyprus’ 2026 Presidency of the Council of the European Union
- Trade agreements, strategic partnerships and new market access
- Cyprus as a regional headquarters, investment and services platform
- Public-private coordination and corridor implementation
- Linking policy priorities with bankable projects and commercial opportunities
India Corridor Opening KeynoteThe EU–India Free Trade Agreement: A New Era for Cyprus–India Business
H.E. Mr. Manish Manish, High Commissioner of India to the Republic of Cyprus
Following the conclusion of negotiations on the landmark EU–India Free Trade Agreement, this keynote will examine the opportunities created by deeper market access, lower trade barriers and closer cooperation in technology, manufacturing, services and strategic industries. It will consider how Cyprus can serve as a practical European base for Indian companies and as a trusted platform for European organisations entering India.
Corridor Focus: The Cyprus–India–EU Growth CorridorTechnology, Film & Bollywood, DefenceTech and Cybersecurity
The Cyprus–India strategic partnership is creating a more focused commercial agenda across four high-growth areas of collaboration. This session will move beyond general bilateral dialogue to examine concrete opportunities for co-development, investment, market entry and joint ventures, while identifying how the EU–India Free Trade Agreement can strengthen Cyprus’ role as India’s gateway into the European market.
Discussion Topics- Technology and innovation: Artificial Intelligence, deep tech, semiconductors, digital infrastructure, joint research and startup scaling
- Film and Bollywood: co-productions, filming incentives, locations, production services, post-production, media technology and international distribution
- DefenceTech and dual-use innovation: autonomous systems, maritime and space technologies, surveillance, supply chains and co-development
- Cybersecurity: critical infrastructure protection, financial and maritime cybersecurity, cyber resilience, managed security and threat intelligence
- The EU–India Free Trade Agreement and its implications for Cypriot and Indian businesses
- Cyprus as an EU headquarters, intellectual property, financing, distribution and professional services base
- Investment, capital markets and commercial collaboration between Cyprus, India and Europe
GCC Corridor Opening KeynoteThe UAE–Cyprus Partnership: Connecting Gulf Capital, Innovation & Enterprise with Europe
Embassy of the United Arab Emirates to the Republic of Cyprus
This introductory keynote will outline the strategic potential of the UAE–Cyprus relationship and the wider Gulf–Europe growth corridor, highlighting opportunities in investment, technology, infrastructure, financial services and regional expansion.
Corridor Focus: Building the Gulf–Europe Growth CorridorCapital, Regional Headquarters, Technology & Strategic Investment through Cyprus
As the United Arab Emirates and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia accelerate economic diversification and global investment, Cyprus can provide a trusted European platform for Gulf capital, companies and entrepreneurs. The discussion will focus on the structures, sectors and partnerships required to strengthen two-way investment and commercial expansion.
Discussion Topics- Sovereign wealth, institutional investment, family offices and private capital
- Cyprus as a European regional headquarters and corporate relocation destination
- Financial services, fintech, payments and digital assets
- Artificial Intelligence, cloud, cybersecurity and digital transformation
- Infrastructure, energy, logistics and strategic investment
- Venture capital, private equity and cross-border scale-up opportunities
- Professional services, funds, banking and investment structuring
- Building stronger UAE–Cyprus, Saudi Arabia–Cyprus and GCC–Europe business partnerships
Networking Coffee Break
An opportunity for delegates to continue discussions, meet speakers and connect with investors, financial institutions, government representatives and international business leaders.
Strategic Keynote & Project SpotlightCyprus and the India–Middle East–Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC)
Participation by senior representatives from the Government of Cyprus and strategic infrastructure stakeholders
The India–Middle East–Europe Economic Corridor is designed to strengthen connectivity between India, the Middle East and Europe through transport, energy and digital infrastructure. This session will introduce Cyprus’ IMEC proposition and examine how the country can contribute as a Mediterranean gateway, first point of entry into the European Union and regional hub for transshipment, storage, logistics, energy, digital connectivity and professional services.
Discussion Topics- Cyprus as the Mediterranean and European gateway within IMEC
- Ports, shipping, airports, logistics, transshipment and strategic supply and storage zones
- Connecting maritime routes with planned rail infrastructure across the Gulf and wider region
- Cyprus–Israel electricity connectivity and the wider regional energy architecture
- Future clean-energy and green-hydrogen infrastructure
- Secure digital connectivity, submarine cables, data infrastructure and cyber resilience
- Trade finance, project finance, investment vehicles and public-private partnerships
- Building resilient East–West supply chains connecting India, the Middle East and Europe
Emerging Africa Corridor Opening KeynoteThe Democratic Republic of Congo and Emerging Africa: Strategic Priorities for Investment & International Partnership
Keynote by a Senior Government Representative of the Democratic Republic of Congo
This keynote will present the investment priorities and international partnership opportunities emerging from the Democratic Republic of Congo and the wider African growth story, while considering how Cyprus can support stronger commercial and investment links with Europe and the Gulf.
Corridor Focus: The Emerging Africa–Europe Growth CorridorDigital Finance, Critical Infrastructure, Energy & Enterprise
Emerging African markets are creating significant opportunities across financial inclusion, critical infrastructure, energy, natural resources, technology and entrepreneurship. This session will explore how Cyprus can support investment into and out of Africa through its European market access, financial and legal ecosystem, professional services and regional relationships.
Discussion Topics- Investment priorities in the Democratic Republic of Congo and other high-growth African markets
- Critical minerals, responsible value chains and industrial development
- Energy, infrastructure, logistics and sustainable development
- Fintech, financial inclusion, payments and digital banking
- Telecommunications, digital infrastructure and cybersecurity
- Venture capital, entrepreneurship and enterprise development
- Trade finance, project finance and blended-finance structures
- Cyprus as a gateway between Africa, Europe and the Gulf
Investment Leadership RoundtableFinancing the Corridors: Why Global Investors Choose Cyprus
Bringing together leaders from investment firms, funds, family offices, banks and professional services organisations, this roundtable will examine how Cyprus can structure and finance cross-border opportunities across India, the GCC, IMEC and Emerging Africa. The discussion will connect the Forum’s corridor priorities with practical investment vehicles, capital solutions and implementation partnerships.
Discussion Topics- International investment structures, Alternative Investment Funds and RAIFs
- Family offices, private wealth, sovereign and institutional capital
- Private equity, venture capital and growth financing
- Infrastructure, energy and project finance
- Trade finance, treasury and cross-border banking
- Regional headquarters, corporate structuring and intellectual property
- Tax, regulatory, legal and compliance frameworks
- Financing IMEC and other cross-border corridor opportunities
- Capital markets, listings and investor confidence
Closing PlenaryFrom Dialogue to Delivery: A Cyprus Growth Corridors Action Agenda
The closing plenary will summarise the priorities identified throughout the Forum and define the next steps required to convert corridor discussions into investment pipelines, institutional cooperation, commercial partnerships and measurable outcomes.