Concept On Development Of Armenian Information Technologies Sector S

CONCEPT ON DEVELOPMENT OF ARMENIAN INFORMATION TECHNOLOGIES SECTOR SHOULD ENVISAGE GOALS OF MAKING THIS SECTOR A LEADING ONE AT INTERNATIONAL LEVEL, UITE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR SAYS

Noyan Tapan
Oct 23, 2007

YEREVAN, OCTOBER 23, NOYAN TAPAN. It is necessary that the
interdepartmental working group set up by instruction of the Armenian
president envisage the goals of the Armenian IT sector’s being a
leader at international level in the new concept on development of
the IT sector, the executive director of the Union of IT Enterprises
(UITE) Karen Vardanian expressed an opinion during a talk with NT
correspondent.

According to him, these goals should be pursued by the country’s
government in cooperation with the society and business circles. He
pointed out the necessity of choosing those sectors of international
IT market where Armenia can have a competitive advantage. The concept
should also contain such measures and envisage the creation of such
infrastructures that will ensure Armenia’s leading position.

K. Vardanian said that the economies of countries that have become IT
sector leaders in the past 20-25 years (Germany, Japan, South Korea,
Ireland, Malaysia, Singapore) were different from the current Armenian
economy by their charactetistics. In these countries, outflow of
funds was reduced by administrative-command or legisltaive-market
encouragement methods and the accumulated money was allocated for
development of the high-tech sector.

Besides, the indicated countries have brough the standards of their
educational systems in line with highest international ones. "Graduates
of Armenian higher educational institutions should be at least equal
to graduates of the world’s best universities by their knowledge and
skills," K. Vardanian noted. He added that unlike Armenia, in these
countries business has been considered by the government as a partner
mobilizing the society in order to overcome serious challenges. In
his words, the provisions on accumulation and allocation of financial
resources, improvement of the quality of education, and cooperation
between the state and business should be key provisions of the concept
on development of the IT sector.

The executive director of UITE expressed an opinion that the concept
should be agreed on with all political forces of the country, which
will ensure its continuous implementation.