Nicosia, Cyprus. Skills shortages have overtaken cyber risks and economic volatility as the primary concern for business leaders in Cyprus, according to the 15th Annual PwC Cyprus CEO Survey. The survey gathered responses from 77 business leaders.
Key risks identified by Cyprus-based CEOs
The findings reflect CEO sentiment prior to the outbreak of the war in Iran, providing a snapshot of business concerns before the latest geopolitical developments. For Cyprus-based CEOs, the availability of key skills was identified as the leading threat, with 43 per cent of respondents viewing it as a major risk over the coming year.
Geopolitical conflicts followed at 30 per cent, technological disruption at 22 per cent, and cyber risks at 21 per cent, marking a divergence from trends seen among eurozone and global CEOs. In contrast, business leaders in the eurozone and globally ranked cyber risks and macroeconomic volatility as their primary concerns.
Challenges in attracting technical AI talent
The ability to attract high-quality technical AI talent has emerged as a critical challenge for organisations operating in Cyprus. The survey found that 45 per cent of CEOs in Cyprus believe their organisation cannot attract high-quality technical AI talent, pointing to a widening gap in specialised skills.
By comparison, 42 per cent of global CEOs and 28 per cent of eurozone CEOs believe their organisations are able to attract such talent. The findings highlight intensifying competition for skilled professionals and the importance of investment in talent development, upskilling and employer positioning.
What steps is your organisation taking to address skills shortages and strengthen its ability to attract technical AI talent?
