THE IT DEVELOPMENT SUPPORT COUNCIL (ITDSC) MET, PRESIDED AT BY COUNCIL CHAIR, RA PRIME MINISTER TIGRAN SARGSYAN

Wed nesday, 29 July 2009

The council reviewed the status of those assignments given at the
previous meeting as reported by RA Minister of Economy Nerces Yeritzyan
and working group supervisors.

The meeting discussed ways for facilitating the process of business
registration by newly established IT companies. In this connection,
the "one stop shop" scheme was said to be in need of further
improvement. The council has noted that the IT sector managers’ annual
contest organizing State commission is working out selection criteria
for the contest. Information Technology Fund President G. Chugasizyan
advised that the ITF has developed a concept note and a detailed action
plan for electronic content. The council took note that efforts are
underway towards introducing a system of e-government, inclusive of
endeavors towards priority action plan finalization. The Prime Minister
instructed to have this question included in the next meeting’s agenda.

A provisional solution was given to the decision on modifying paragraph
3, article 9 of the RA law on defense. The corresponding drafts as
forwarded to the ministries of defense, transport and communication
were said to be under discussion now.

The meeting has similarly reviewed the package on improvement of
customs services. In the frame of this package, IT Enterprise Union
Director K. Vardanyan outlined the list of priority issues over which
talks are underway with the Customs Committee. Prime Minister Tigran
Sargsyan suggested setting up a corresponding task force to enhance
cooperation efficiency.

RA Minister of Education and Science A. Ashotyan reported that in line
with the law on education, facilities are being designed for different
types of academic study. A preliminary draft will be completed by
this September for submission to the government following discussions
involving stakeholders.

Next, the council looked at the status of the One PC for Each
Household program. A pilot project is scheduled for implementation
in a number of urban settlements under which households will get
software in addition to hardware. A corresponding task force will
continue studying the market.

The agenda comprised discussion of the program on the teaching of
computer skills in general schools. Tigran Sargsyan told the Minister
of Education and Science to have a program designed on mandatory
computer teaching procedure for high schools, as well as to monitor
the process of student certification.

Concerning the assignments of the previous meeting, the meeting took
note of the progress made in a number of them, with the balance being
in process of discussion. The head of government stressed the need
for continued talks and consistency in pursuit o f these tasks.

In conclusion, the council discussed internet management- and
infrastructure development-related issues. It was decided that all
relevant proposals will be heard at the next council meeting.

Minister of Economy Nerces Yeritzyan advised that an international
forum on the formation of electronic society is scheduled for this
autumn aimed at promoting the IT sector and bringing it closer to the
public-at-large in Armenia. The National Academy of Sciences will host
a symposium in the framework of the Month of Information Technologies.