External demand accounts for IT sector’s development in Armenia - Karen Vardanyan

In an interview with Tert.am, Karen Vardanyan, Executive Director of the Union of Information Technology Enterprises (UITE), said that a great demand for engineering staff worldwide accounts for the IT growth.

With respect to Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan’s statement on a 22-25 per cent annual growth in Armenia’s IT sector, Mr Vardanyan said that Armenia’s IT sector could register a much higher growth, at least 35%.

“Our conditions are identical to those in Belarus, and different countries are competing in meeting this demand, which accounts for the growth. Belarus has registered a growth of more than 100% during the past five years,” he said.

On the other hand, one of the major impediments to the IT sector’s development is society’s attitude to education and achievements, especially when talented children do not get necessary education.

“The university education is poor and school education is even poorer in Armenia, and reforms should begin at school. One more problem is enterprise, that is, encouraging our young people to establish companies,” he said.

Mr Vardanyan emphasized the government’s steps.

“It is the IT sector that is a key factor in development worldwide, and it is governments that support the sector, especially the army and security agencies. Regrettably, this is not the case in Armenia.”

The promotion of Armenian brand abroad is one more important step.

“One of the key factors is that we be known for our strong points. Our adaptability is one of such factors. I mean cultural adaptability because we are cooperating with different countries, and Armenians seem to easily overcome the barriers. One more important feature is that we are accustomed to creative solutions, with limited resources,” Mr Vardanyan said.

None of Armenia’s government has paid proper attention to the IT sector.

“The IT sector was declared a priority in 2000, but much has actually been done. Otherwise, Armenia’s universities would be among the 200 or 300 best in the world and exact sciences would be taught at a high level in schools.”

On the other hand, some work has been done: the establishment of the Enterprises Incubator, national engineering laboratory, industrial park in Gyumri. The work to create an industrial work in Vanadzor is in progress now.