Armenia has potential to ensure IT sector’s rapid progress - Hovik Musayelyan

In an interview with Tert.am, Dr. Hovik Musayelyan, Director of Synopsys Armenia, commented on the point related to the IT sector in the Armenian government’s program.

“I do not think IT development should be reflected in the government program alone. Of course, the government program envisages the sector’s development, but if we are to get serious results, the government program should not be the only guideline for us. It is a task of private companies, which should be interested in attracting new investments and ensuring progress,” Mr Musayelyan said.

Armenia’s state budget does not allow for such rapid progress.

“The government’s task is to create conditions for local and foreign investors to be interested in new developments in Armenia. If we make serious progress in this field, it should largely be due to development programs of private companies. But if the government fails to create conditions for the private sector to feel motivated, we are not going to see serious progress,” Mr Musayelyan said.

The budget appropriations, if not huge, are substantial as compared with appropriations in other states and even equal with funding in developed countries. The private sector has to make huger investments than the government – the lion’s share.

With respect to the private sector’s passivity, Mr Musayelyan said that the major reason is lack of highly skilled personnel, and the investments may actually be squandered.

“So we are repeatedly saying that developing new high-quality education models in the major task of the IT sector, which has to be accomplished by joint efforts of the government and private sector,” he said.

Armenia has a competitive microelectronic industry, being leader in the Eurasian Economic Union (EEU).

With respect to the growth rates, Mr Musayelyan expects 15-20 percent growth.

“The problem is that we have no alternative. We need rapid progress. Even 15-20 percent growth – quite a high figure as compared with the other economic sectors – is not sufficient for this sector. We have to raise rates to ensure rapid growth. We have potential, but we should define our competitive advantages and persuade the world into investing in Armenia,” Mr Musayelyan.

As regards the government’s attention to the IT sector by the cabinets headed by Tigran Sargsyan, Hovik Abrahamyan and incumbent Prime Minister Karen Karapetyan, Mr Musayelyan would not draw any parallels.

“Not only I, but also Armenia’s while population are hopeful the new government is willing to spare no effort to support the IT sector.”