Armenian Embassy Presents Collaboration Opportunities in Information Technologies

     On May 6, the Embassy of the Republic of Armenia in Canada held a luncheon reception for a number of Canadian experts in the area of information and information communication technologies. The purpose of the event was to introduce to the Canadian ICT professionals the progress Armenia has made in developing its ICT sector, as well as to discuss and investigate commercial and R&D collaboration between the ICT sectors of the two countries.
     Armenia has a rapidly growing ICT sector in software, hardware, components and services, an increasing user base and a steadily improving infrastructure. Armenia's potential in IT has been recognized by major international and financial organizations. A high-level international conference was organized by the European Union in Armenia in 2002 as the first practical step toward the launch of the EU's Caucasus Information Technology Initiative.
     The country enjoys a strong educational system and a sophisticated R&D capability. Armenia was a major contributor to Soviet scientific achievements in software, semiconductors, electronics, communications and space research.
     In the post-Soviet era, the country is focused on the growth of its ICT sector and the commercialization and distribution of its research through international partnerships. It emphasizes its strong knowledge base, stable environment, low cost and its strategic location at a crossroads of Eastern Europe and Asia.
     Over the past few years, many foreign companies, mostly American, have established joint commercialization ventures or development facilities in software and semiconductors.
     Since declaring ICT a priority sector of Armenia's economic development in 2000, the government has been taking steps towards establishing a business environment supportive of enterprises and entrepreneurial activities in this area. The ICT Master Strategy for the Republic of Armenia was developed as a main document addressing critical success factors to foster and accelerate the growth of ICT industry in Armenia. On July 20, 2001 the IT Development and Support State Council of Armenia chaired by the Prime Minister was established aimed at promoting the use of IT in all spheres of life; developing more business-oriented legislation; prioritizing innovation as an underlying dynamic for the economic development, and implementing measures to prevent the drain of IT specialists from Armenia.
     The luncheon reception was attended by 16 representatives of the Canadian government and the private sector. An audio connection was established with the Enterprise Incubator in Yerevan so that representatives of the Armenian ICT sector could participate.
     The Canadian participants were very impressed by the progress of the Armenian ICT sector. There were many informed questions concerning the availability of highly qualified people, the state of research in the higher education sector, the legal and tax frameworks for investment in Armenia, the mobility of Armenians within the region to serve as distributors of Canadian products, the languages used in the sector, the commitment of the government to serve as a model ICT user and the specific priorities for the development of the sector. The knowledge and professionalism displayed by the participants in Yerevan was very impressive.
     The Embassy will be following up with the participants to help translate the interest shown into joint projects. The Embassy will also be organizing additional information sessions to reach more decision-makers in the Canadian ICT sector.
     The Embassy would like to thank Grant Thomas, a Canadian consultant who knows Armenia, for his assistance.

L to R: Canadian consultantGrant Thomas, Embassy Counsellor Michael Bagratuni and Ambassador Ara Papian minutes before the teleconference started	Armenian Embassy Counsellor Michael Bagratuni introducing the participants	Ambassador Ara Papian delivers welcoming remarks
Grant Thomas presenting collaboration opprtunities between Canada and Armenia in the ICT sector	Members of Ottawa ICT community during the presentation	A Q and A session followed the presentation