JA Cyprus Hosts 2nd Trade Fair Attended by over 250 Youth
On Saturday, 9 April 2016, the 2nd Company Programme Trade Fair organized by Junior Achievement Cyprus, took place at The Mall of Cyprus, Nicosia. The event was attended by numerous Mall visitors and people interested in discovering the entrepreneurial spirit of Cypriot youth.
During the Fair, 250 talented student entrepreneurs, aged 15-18, from all over Cyprus, representing 34 student companies, successfully showcased their innovative products and services, some of which were also available for sale. While exhibiting, experienced jury members walked through the student company stands and evaluated their business ideas. This assessment played a key role in deciding the 10 finalists that will move on to pitch their ideas at the Company of the Year Competition Finale and Award Ceremony that will be held on Friday, 22 April 2016.
The student companies were created as part of the annual Company Programme. This is the third year that Junior Achievement Cyprus cooperates with both public and private high schools, as well as vocational schools from all over Cyprus, through the Company Programme. Through this Programme, students are offered the opportunity to learn through experience how to take a business idea from concept to actuality, by forming and running their own real companies for a whole academic year. The programme aims at equipping students with the necessary knowledge, skills and competencies necessary to build their own successful enterprises in the future. Moreover, it increases their likelihood of being employed and, in general, succeed in whatever they decide to do.
Speaking during the opening ceremony, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Education and Culture, Mrs. Aigli Pantelaki, highlighted the vital significance of educational programmes promoting entrepreneurship, creativity and teamwork, both for young people’s professional success as well as the financial recovery of the island.
The President of the Democratic Rally (DISY), Mr. Averof Neofytou, the Minister of Energy, Commerce, Industry and Tourism, Mr. George Lakkotrypis, DISY parliamentary representative Mr. Nicos Tornaritis as well as DISY Deputy Press Spokesperson, Ms. Stavriana Kofteros, honoured the event with their presence. All three of them spent time talking to the student entrepreneurs about their business ideas, providing them with advice and purchasing their products.
The 10 finalists that will pitch their ideas at the Company of the Year Competition Finale and Award Ceremony, are the following: Bulbart (Paralimni Lyceum), Ελαία (Ag. Georgios Lyceum, Larnaca), GreenPlay (American Academy Larnaca), Ignium (Kykkos B’ Lyceum), PlantB (Apostolos Marcos Lyceum, Archaggelos), Scendles (The Falcon School Nicosia), SHAPES CYPRUS LTD (Paralimni Technical School), Sn-box (Polis Chrysochous Lyceum and Technical School), SPiRON (Ag. Georgios Lyceum, Lakatamia) και The Tsai Project (English School).
