ArmInfo. The ICT sector can become a locomotive for the country's progress, Armenian Prime Minister Karen Karapetyan said at a meeting with ICT representatives in Yerevan on December 23.
The press office of the Armenian Government has told ArmInfo that the ICT representatives informed the Prime Minister of the details of the course of elaboration of long-term and short-term development projects. A joint working group that includes representatives of the structures concerned and the ICT sector is holding discussions.
Karapetyan pointed out the importance of public-private cooperation to ensure progress in ICT. "I pin great hopes on you. You can become a locomotive capable of changing the Armenian economy, culture and atmosphere itself," the Prime Minister said, expressing willingness to contribute to implementation of all constructive initiatives.
In mid-January 2017 the Prime Minister will be informed of the results of the working group's activities. A package of specific programs with specific events will also be presented to Karapetyan.
To recall, on November 3 Armenian Prime Minister Karen Karapetyan held a consultative meeting on the prospects of development of information and telecommunication technologies. "I need a program to turn the world upside-down. What changes should we make so that your industry, your business and the market could develop in addition to specific programs? What is preventing you? I need to realize your policies in terms of both specialist training and increased productivity in the GDP." Karen Karapetyan said that the Government is going to establish an investment fund, which will provide a mechanism to assist businesses, including the field of information and telecommunication technologies. The Prime Minister instructed the Minister of Transport, Communication and Information Technologies to work with IT sphere representatives in order to generate clear synergies and develop targeted measures to offer specific proposals with practical results.
According to the data of 2015 there are 500 companies operating in IT field in Armenia. The field ensures 20-25% y-o- y growth annually. The share of IT field in GDP totals 3.8%. According to the development strategy of the field it is planned to increase IT field turnover to $1 bln by 2018.