New horizons in research and innovation are opening up for software and digital solutions companies through the strategic partnership between the Association of Hellenic Information Technology Enterprises (SETPE) and the Centre for Research and Technology Hellas (CERTH).

The partnership between the two leading organisations was formalised through the signing of a Cooperation Agreement, which took place during SETPE’s annual event on Friday, 27 February, at the Thessaloniki Concert Hall (Building M2, Allegro).

The Cooperation Agreement was signed by the Chairman of the Board of Directors of SETPE, Anastasios Manos, and the Director of Central Administration and Chairman of the Board of Directors of CERTH, Evangelos Bekiaris.

The event was attended by the Minister of Digital Governance, Dimitris Papastergiou; the Deputy Minister of Education, Religious Affairs and Sports, Nikolaos Papaioannou; the Deputy Minister of Interior (Macedonia–Thrace sector), Konstantinos Gioulekas; the Member of Parliament for Thessaloniki A’ constituency with New Democracy, Dimitris Kouvelas; representatives of business and economic organisations; distinguished members of the academic and research communities; as well as executives and employees of IT companies, among others.

Brief welcoming remarks were delivered, among others, by the Deputy Regional Governor of the Thessaloniki Metropolitan Area of the Region of Central Macedonia, Konstantinos Gioutikas; the Deputy Regional Governor for Digital Governance of the Region of Central Macedonia, Nikolaos Tzollas; the President of the Innovation Zone S.A., Panagiotis Ketikidis; the President of the Thessaloniki Chamber of Crafts, Marios Papadopoulos; the President and CEO of Thess INTEC, Nikos Efthymiades; the President of the Central Macedonia Regional Department of the Technical Chamber of Greece (TEE/TKM), Ilias Pertzinidis; the Vice Rector for Extroversion and International Relations of the University of Macedonia, Alexandros Chatzigeorgiou; the President of the Association of Business Administration Executives of Northern Greece (EDEBE), Apostolos Aigyptiadis; the President of the Board of Directors of SEPE, Giota Paparidou; and the President of Technopolis Thessaloniki, Anastasios Tzikas.

In his address, the Minister of Digital Governance, Dimitris Papastergiou, emphasised, speaking to SETPE members, that the country’s priority is to complete and deliver the complex projects of the Recovery and Resilience Fund as fully operational and effective initiatives, while, at the same time, ensuring that the necessary conditions are being established for their continuation and maintenance, as he noted.

Mr Papastergiou noted that, for the first time this year, IT project maintenance costs (cloud computing, services, licences, etc.) are being included in the state’s regular budget, based on a joint ministerial decision and in coordination with the Ministry of National Economy and Finance. In this way, he explained, a clear and stable funding framework is being established for the operation and future development of IT projects.

Mr Papastergiou also referred to the importance of broadband infrastructure projects, particularly Ultra-Fast Broadband, as well as initiatives for the development of artificial intelligence infrastructure to support entrepreneurship. He further highlighted the significant role of SETPE members as reliable partners in identifying the real business needs in the fields of artificial intelligence and productivity enhancement. He also noted that “2026 will be another year for IT, technology and innovation”, with the country – particularly Northern Greece – moving more strongly and more rapidly towards the field of “digital diplomacy” with neighbouring countries, describing this prospect as a “huge opportunity” that must remain a key focus for all stakeholders.

Valuable Partnerships

During the signing of the Cooperation Agreement, the Chairman of the Board of Directors of SETPE, Anastasios Manos, stressed that it is crucial for the members of the Association of Information Technology Enterprises to have an organisation such as CERTH, “from which they can draw on specialised partners and experts, enabling them to develop collaborations at both national and European level”.

Furthermore, the Director of Central Administration and Chairman of the Board of Directors of CERTH, Evangelos Bekiaris, noted that a new era is being launched, with the primary objective of transferring valuable knowledge and skilled researchers from CERTH to Greek IT companies, creating a multiplier effect that will strengthen extroversion and contribute to economic growth.

The Cooperation Agreement, which has a duration of five (5) years, establishes a structured framework for joint actions aimed at the systematic transfer of know-how, networking and the co-development of new solutions, enabling CERTH’s research outcomes to be utilised more rapidly and more effectively by SETPE member companies. At its core is the creation of tangible synergies (matchmaking) between research teams, laboratories and companies, as well as the development of joint initiatives leading to new products, services and methods with a competitive advantage in the Greek and international markets.

In a climate of institutional dialogue

SETPE’s annual meeting was held in a climate of institutional dialogue and professional networking, featuring the customary exchange of greetings and the cutting of the traditional New Year’s cake.

The lucky coin from the New Year’s cake was won by Georgios Theodorakis, Director of the Northern Greece Branch of the German-Hellenic Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

The Gold Sponsors of the event were COSMOS BUSINESS SYSTEMS, GNOMON INFORMATICS, INTERWORKS.CLOUD and LANCOM.

The Silver Sponsors were ATLANTIS ENGINEERING, CONSORTIS GEOSPATIAL, DIGITAL MOUNTAINS, GEOSENSE, INFOTEAM HELLAS, JOIST INNOVATION PARK, NOISIS DEVELOPMENT CONSULTANTS, SOFTWEB, YSOFT and VOLTE–TEL COMMUNICATIONS.

* Four (4) photographs are attached.

CAPTIONS:

0253: SETPE Chairman of the Board of Directors, A. Manos (right), and CERTH Chairman of the Board of Directors, E. Bekiaris, during the signing of the Cooperation Agreement.

0016: The Minister of Digital Governance, Dimitris Papastergiou (third from the right), alongside the Deputy Minister of Education, Nikolaos Papaioannou (third from the left), the President of the Thessaloniki Chamber of Crafts, Marios Papadopoulos (second from the right), and members of SETPE’s Board of Directors. 

0228: SETPE Chairman of the Board of Directors, A. Manos (centre), during the cutting of the New Year’s cake, together with members of SETPE’s Board of Directors.

0329: Ο Director of the Northern Greece Branch of the German-Hellenic Chamber of Commerce and Industry, G. Theodorakis (left), with SETPE Chairman of the Board of Directors, A. Manos.