Gyumri technopark has a potential to be successful, if people learn to
look forward

2008-12-12 19:06:00

ArmInfoThere’s a potential in Gyumri technopark, and the most
appropriate way to reveal it is to make people look forward. That’s the
opinion of Mr. Kevin Thompstone, Senior consultant of Shannon
international development consultants, which he shared with the
correspondent of ArmInfo.

"Gyumri has a lot of potential. It’s in the look and feel of the city,
a strong architectural heritage, a long history as a city. While there
was a lot of damage from the earthquake, and a long period of
regeneration, the potential is still clearly visible. What I get the
sense of is that particularly in Gyumri there’s a healthy local
patriotism and entrepreneurial spirit. So, while there are a lot of
issues to be resolved, there’s some good basic the place from which you
can start to develop a foundation", he noted.

The city, he said, is also rich with R&D institutions, including
branches of state universities. In general, there’s a good scientific
tradition, as the city used to be one of the R&D centers of the former
Soviet Union. "I’ve seen a considerable number of skilled graduates – a
lot of work had been done by Gyumri information technologies center
(GITC) and the companies like Instigate and so on", he added.

Speaking on the shortage of infrastructure as a potential threat, he
underscored, that despite the difficulties, which may be faced at a
given moment, there must be a will to move forward, and the obstacles
are to be perceived as triggers for constructive action plans. "Gyumri,
and Armenia on the whole, does have problems with telecom and road
infrastructure. But you shouldn’t put it all off just
because, say, Shirak airport is underdeveloped. It’s a long way to go,
but there’s capacity to expand. When you have people ready to work in
conditions where all is against them, imagine what you can achieve if
you improve education facilities, bring the infrastructure to a good
condition. If you do all that, the environment of the city represents
opportunities to regenerate the city, change the look and feel of it –
it really has potential", he said.

One of the main things, he noted, is to create not just facilities by
themselves, but an environment in which they will be utilized to make
something new. "When you develop the technopark, it’s not but nice
buildings, refurbishing the area and putting handsome signs. It’s got
to be a place where research scientists, post graduates,
undergraduates, entrepreneurs and so on are mixed together, seeing each
other every day. Business is about people getting together, and the
most successful businesses are those which are completely different
today from what they had started, and it all comes from people sharing
ideas", concluded the expert.