UITE ASSISTS STARTUPS OF IT SECTOR IN TAKING JOINT STEPS
Noyan Tapan
July 17, 2009
YEREVAN, JULY 17, NOYAN TAPAN. The Union of Information Technology
Enterprises of Armenia (UITE) organized a conference on July 17 to
discuss the ways of developing the startups in Armenia’s IT sector
and identify the obstacles to their development. Representatives
of about a dozen startups in IT industry and the bodies assisting
with promotion of small and medium entrepreneurship in the sector
participated in the conference.
According to Executive Director of the UITE Karen Vardanian, the
purpose of the event is to initiate joint steps by IT startups. He
said that a body for protection of the interests of such enterprises is
likely to be set up. On behalf of the UITE, he expressed a willingness
to provide assistance to the body to be created. The startups in IT
sectors were proposed that in addition to holding discussions among
themselves, they should have meetings with the heads of leading IT
companies in order to get acquainted with their experience.
K. Vardanian reminded that under the IT sector development concept
approved by the Armenian government in 2008, it is envisaged increasing
the number of IT companies currently making 200 to a thousand. In
his opinion, in order to achieve this goal, it is necessary to open
500-1,000 enterprises a year and to ensure such conditions that will
enable at least 100 of them to develop.
Chairman of the UITE Hovhannes Avoyan in his turn underlined the
necessity to take into account the development of new products and
attract the necessary experts to enterprises when new enterprises
are established. He attached special importance to the extension of
the database on employees of these enterprises and their potential
customers.
The participants discussed the experience of IT startups, provision of
state assistance and privileges to them, delivery of services in line
with market requirements in the educational system, as well as problems
related to the business environment, in particular, to the registration
of businesses, tax administration, and marketing of enterprises.
During the conference, Microsoft Bizpark program, the assistance
provided by the Small and Medium Entrepreneurship Development
National Center of Armenia (SME DNC) and Orange Franchise concept
were presented.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress
