The official kick-off for our project CMMI / MaRITeC-X was launched last Thursday, October 10 at 10:00 with a press conference at the Radisson Blue Hotel in Larnaca. CMMI / MaRITeC-X which is co-funded by the Cyprus Government and the European Union with € 30 million, aims to establish a Center for Excellence in Maritime and Maritime Research, Innovation and Technology, the Cyprus Marine and Maritime Institute. This Center will provide practical solutions to the global challenges facing the marine and maritime socioeconomic stakeholders. Speakers at the event included the Mayor of Larnaca, Andreas Vyras, the Deputy Minister of Maritime, Natasa Pilides, the Head of Research and Innovation Scientist, Kyriakos Kokkinos, as well as the representative of the European Commission Head of Unit the at Research Executive Agency Ms. Federica Roffi. After the break, representatives of the project partners presented more details on the implementation of the Centre’s business plan.
The speakers emphasized the importance of this project for Larnaca, Cyprus and the wider Mediterranean region and the EU, highlighting the significant benefits that it is expected to bring such as job creation, attracting foreign investment, developing know-how through cooperation with international research organizations and businesses, and sustainable development in the Blue Economy. At the same time, they expressed their full support for the creation and success of this Center.
After the press conference the CMMI / MaRITeC-X project partners teamed up for the first project meeting under Teaming Phase 2 Grant where Ms. Federica Roffi of Research Executive Agency, Unit B5, introduced EC priorities and expectations regarding the Teaming Grant, transferring the full support of the EC to the project’s success. Closing the Thursday’s sessions, Programme Officer, Ms. Carla Rocha Gomes presented legal, financial and administrative aspects of the funding instrument.
The project meeting was concluded Friday the 11th with the Advanced and widening project teams defining the first steps to establish the Cyprus Marine and Maritime Institute – CMMI. The Cyprus Marine and Maritime Institute is expected to open by the end of the year in a temporary space provided by the Municipality of Larnaca, while the final buildings which will be permanently housed in the Makenzi area of Larnaca are expected to be ready in 2021.
