MICROSOFT TO IMPLEMENT SERIOUS PROGRAMS IN ARMENIA

Noyan Tapan
Apr 10 2007

YEREVAN, APRIL 10, NOYAN TAPAN. Microsoft company wishes that in 2010,
15-20 thouasand people would be engaged in Armenia’s IT sector and they
would bring annual revenues of 150 million dollars. Paul Muckleston,
Director of Microsoft’s Business Management and Strategy Center,
stated this at the April 10 conference "Microsoft Innovation Day" in
Yerevan. Presenting the goals of the company’s 2007-2011 activities in
Armenia, he said that one of these goals is to reduce, in cooperation
with partners, the level of software piracy from 95% to 60%.

In his words, on April 9 the Armenian prime minister Serge Sargsian
approved the composition of the interdepartmental working group
which jointly with Microsoft will implement the provisions of the
cooperation agreement signed with the Armenian government in February
2007. Prticularly, within the next 1.5 years Microsoft will take joint
steps with the Armenian government in order to establish a Microsoft
Innovation Center in Armenia.

According to Microsoft’s official, the company has the opportunity to
promote the activities of up to 50 enterprises engaged in development
of software packages in Armenia, and these enterprises will be able to
export their software developed with Microsoft technologies. According
to his estimates, it is possible to certify about 250 companies
by Microsoft procedures, which will allow to create about 2,000
jobs. It was noted that 95% of Microsoft’s revenues form through
partner-enterprises engaged in software development. P.

Muckleston underlined that studies conducted in 40 countries show
that each dollar invested by the company brings Microsoft’s partners
revenues of 15 dollars. He expressed a hope that the company’s Armenian
branch – Microsoft RA company "will be a respected enterprise in 2010".

According to Paul Muckleston, in 2006, production of about 90 million
dollars was made in the Armenian IT sector, which was three times
as much as three years ago. In 2006, 4,000 people worked and 150
companies operated in the sector. 80% of production made this year has
been exported. 65% of companies were set up with foreign investments,
and this index has the tendency to grow.

About 150 representatives of the Armenian government, as well as of
business and scientific circles attended the event.