ArmTech Congress 2011 opens in Armenia

The Armenian Government has officially recognized ArmTech Congress as a high-tech business conference aiming at the sector's consistent development, encouragement of investments and business contacts, Armenian Prime Minister Tigran Sargsyan stated at the ArmTech Congress 2011, Armenia’s 4th high-tech industry and strategic business forum and conference, opened in Yerevan.

He pointed out appreciable progress in Armenia's communication sector over the past years. Specifically, 80,000 internet users were registered in Armenia three years ago, whereas 341,000 are registered now. The number of mobiles has reached 3,331,000 against 1,180,000.

The Armenian premier noted that Armenia's IT sector is now specializing in manufacturing complex products. Evidence thereof is the establishment of centers by a number of transnational companies, employing local IT experts. About 300 IT enterprises are operating in Armenia, which employ 5,500 specialists. This number reaches 10,000 due to the telecommunication sector. The telecommunication companies announce 1,000 vacancies annually, which is evidence of potential for 20% annual growth. The sector's annual output is US $200m, the second largest after the mining industry. Premier Tigran Sargsyan expressed the confidence that the telecommunication sector will soon be leader of Armenia's economy.

In his speech, Dr. Chi- Foon Chan, President and Chief Operating Officer, Synopsys Company, presented the differences in the microelectronics field between Armenia and a number of leading countries and opportunities for progress in Armenia.

Aram Salatyan, Director of the National Instruments Armenia office, presented Armenia's potential as a high-tech producer. Mr. Thomas Huang Vice President D-Link Corporation, presented the development of the corporation's center in Gyumri.

Representatives of the Mentor Graphics and Sisco companies delivered reports at the conference as well.

Anthony Moroyan, CEO and Chairman, Viasphere International, Inc., Acting General Director, Viasphere Technopark, CJSC, spoke of the critical role high technologies play in forming all-Armenian structures.

ArmTech is a nonprofit global platform and recurring event dedicated to facilitating the success of Armenia's high tech industry.

The 4th annual ArmTech’11 Congress held under patronage of the Prime Minister of the Republic of Armenia and sponsored by VivaCell-MTS will attract an outstanding group of industry professionals and interested parties who will gather together to improve communications and cooperation among Armenian high-tech executives. The ArmTech Congress provides an unmatched opportunity to obtain business and professional information, and to connect with Government representatives, major players in the financial and services sectors, and leading academics from Armenia, the U.S., Russia, European Union, CIS countries, the MENA region, South-East Asia.

This year’s program features speeches, presentations of technical and business papers during thematic sessions, as well as poster presentations focused on attracting investments to viable business projects.

The ArmTech’11 Congress promises to offer a unique opportunity to develop new contacts and to build professional networks, share information and experiences, and to identify new businesses and investment opportunities.