MAGAZINE.AM, #5, MARCH 2003. Despite a number of existing obstacles, information technologies make progress in Armenia, witness people engaged in the field. Negative opinions covered in the last issue of our magazine gave occasion to many specialists to talk over positive outcome.
Sargis Karapetyan
Executive Director of "Bi-Line"
The recent most important improvements is occurrence of higher standards
within IT-engaged companies.
- One of the recent most important improvements is occurrence of higher standards
within IT-engaged companies. Nowadays many companies start cooperating and offering
producer-companies up-to-standard services. Along with market development in
Armenia an ideal business model is being formed. Lateral braces are being established
in IT market, and that supposes cooperation between purchase-sale companies,
irrespective of the fact of their competition. Such policy not only will bring
to market grouping, but will facilitate IT development as well.
Another improvement is also worth to be mentioned. Before any computer establishment used to perform several functions, i.e. purchase and sale of computers, networking, program development and etc. Yet, during last years certain companies concentrate on only one direction in their activities, e.g. programming enterprises deal solely with programming. This circumstance, naturally, has effect on management and quality of work.
Another progress is made by creation of IT Support Council under the Government. Covering IT in mass media is also an important positive fact. This will allow people to better understand the role of IT in their everyday work. I know that this year notable steps are provided for toward implementation of e-governance program.
Gagik Karapetyan
President of "CIT" Co.
Considerable amounts being spent and purposeful steps being taken in
the field.
- Certain progress made in IT field within last years is mainly connected with
economic development. Obviously, some companies grow in both quantity and quality.
They became good taxpayers; it means that they carry on broad activities within
the field. Apart from that, IT do not end in itself, they enable economic development.
It is very important to apply IT in all the fields. Education reached a higher
level. Now more people want to study IT than are the places provided.
Progress is made also by creation of IT Support Council under the government, which carried out notable work within the field, settled legislative matters, accomplished custom-related tasks. My expectations are in plenty, because I’m aware of considerable amounts being spent and purposeful steps being taken in the field. I don’t see large-scale programs now, but they will probably appear if necessary.
Hrach Abovyan
President of "Xartia" Co.
The process of establishing an appropriate legislative framework is
also of importance.
- People understood that IT field is not a tribute paid to fashion, but a real
field that allows improving effectiveness of work.
We can say that progress is evident, in spite of rate of development being conditioned with other circumstances as well (taxation field, cost of Internet connection, and etc.) While talking about situation in general, we have to mention that many projects promoting IT development are under implementation. Only the fact that number of computers in schools of Armenia grows within last years creates favorable conditions for development of the field. It already allows growing generation to familiarize with computer and Internet, to gain certain knowledge and overcome psychological barriers inhered in elders. Those projects will be continued in 2003.
The process of establishing an appropriate legislative framework is also of importance, as the field cannot progress without it.
Tigran Davtyan
RA Deputy-Minister of Trade and Economic Development
We move ahead toward progress.
- A base for a number of important directions in IT development was set up in
2002. For instance, Enterprise Incubator Fund established under financial support
of the World Bank will normally work in 2003. This year we expect as well the
law "About E-document and Electronic Digital Signature" to be passed,
which will lay a ground for new legal relationship within IT field.
Besides, IT Support Council under the Government
plans to work more actively, which will bring to formation of appropriate legal
framework and improvement of business atmosphere. In the context of the above
private sector will work more effectively. I’m sure that in 2002 state
policy provided opportunities for private sector growth within the field and
the principle will be adhered in 2003 as well.
We move ahead toward progress. No doubt, on that way membership of Armenia in
the World Trade Organization will make its contribution, as IT field in Armenia
is mainly aimed at export.
Hovik Musaelyan
General Manager of "Leda Systems" Co. Branch
If investments are aimed at modernization of educational programs, then,
no doubt, tomorrow we’ll not have problems.
- If we manage to solve educational problems, then, I’m sure, market will
settle the rest, as private sector has already felt market pulse. The role of
state is not the regulation of private sector, but the implementation of reforms
and the investment in education system. Educational programs should gain priority
in both state agenda and private sector activities. Today people graduate from
higher school, but are not prepared for work. The field is very dynamic; it
makes rapid progress, while our educational institutions do not have proper
provision (no investments are made) and fail responding promptly. If investments
are aimed at modernization of educational programs, then, no doubt, tomorrow
we’ll not have problems. Civilized countries followed namely that path.
India and China took namely that route. Why do we want going other way?