ARMENIA’S ECONOMY READY FOR INNOVATIONS: MINISTER
ARKA
September 17 2007
Armenia’s economy is ready for innovations, reported RA Minister of
Trade and Economic Development Nerses Yeritsyan during the regional
conference of the Eastern Europe and Central Asia (ECA) Incubator
Network in Yerevan.
"A high level of trade development has been recorded in Armenia for
the past years. As a result, Armenia has become more competitive and
is not afraid of innovations and is ready for technologic changes,"
the Minister said.
According to Yeritsyan, scientific innovations are part of Armenia’s
new economy. He pointed out that Armenia is a crossroad of cultures
and a trade center.
"Despite existing problems, Armenia remains at the crossroads of
global trade and tries to be a leader," Yeritsyan said.
According to him, by amending the existing legislation, the government
supports the development of innovations in Armenia, which, in its turn,
attracts foreign investments.
The government focuses on establishing contacts between Armenian
entrepreneurs and foreign partners, Yerstyan said.
According to the Minister, the government adhere four basic principles
for the development of innovations. These are the establishment of new
mechanisms of financing, promotion of state and private cooperation,
application of international innovation technologies and cooperation
between universities and private companies.
The ECA’s conference "Stimulation of Innovations in East Europe and
Central Asia 2007" involves 15 countries, including Russia, Kazakhstan,
Kyrgyzstan, Ukraine, Georgia and Armenia. The main objective of the
ECA is to raise public awareness of innovations in the sphere of
small and medium business.
The ECA network was established by the InfoDev in 2002. Incubator
businesses and industrial perks from 70 countries are included in it.
The organizers of the conference are the WB InfoDev Program, Fund of
Incubator Enterprises and Eastern Europe – Central Asia (ECA) Network
for Business Incubations.The conference will close on September 20.