5 THOUSAND COMPUTERS TO BE SOLD UNDER COMPUTER FOR EVERYONE PROGRAM BY MAY 2010
Noyan Tapan
Jan 21, 2010
YEREVAN, JANUARY 21, NOYAN TAPAN. 1,300 computers were sold under
Computer for Everyone program in 2009, which exceeded the programmed
index by 500. This was the program’s pilot stage which began in Yerevan
on 22 September 2009. RA Minister of Economy Nerses Yeritsian said
that, when summarizing the results of 2009 at the government.
According to him, it is envisaged selling another 5,000 computers
until May 2010 – the end of the pilot program. New points of sale will
function under this program, and during the main stage the program
will cover all marzes of Armenia. Now it is being implemented in the
cities of Yerevan, Gyumri and Vanadzor, with a total of 6 points of
sale (3 in Yerevan, 2 in Vanadzor, and one in Gyumri).
N. Yeritsian said that the ministry of economy had applied to a number
of Internet providers with the proposal to join Computer for Everyone
program, and along with the computer, to provide an Internet connection
device either free or at a reduced price and to enable the purchaser
to use the Internet free for 3-6 months. Cornet-AM and Orange Armenia
companies have given preliminary consent. Cooperation agreements have
been reached with Intel company.
Attaching great importance to ensuring computer and Internet access for
the development of Armenia’s economy, the government launched Computer
for Everyone program in 2009. The program is aimed at implementing
the stategy of IT sector’s development. Its purpose is to increase
the number of computer users in Armenia by offering modern computers
and licensed software at low prices. The program also tries to solve
an intellectual property-related problem – the use of unlicensed
software. Besides, it encourages the use of Internet among Armenian
population, which will create favorable conditions for electronic
services.