Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan today attended the official opening of the 23rd World Congress on Information Technology (WCIT) in Yerevan and delivered greeting remarks.
Following the opening ceremony, Nikol Pashinyan met with the heads of a number of leading IT companies participating in WCIT 2019. The Premier first met with Co-Founder of Infosys Corporation, well-known Indian businessman Narayana Murthy. Infosys is engaged in digital services and consulting.
The Prime Minister welcomed Narayana Murthy in Armenia and highlighted the participation of the head of such a prestigious IT company in the 23rd World Congress of on Information Technology in Yerevan, which is a good opportunity for the sides to discuss cooperation opportunities.
The Co-Founder of Infosys Corporation Narayana Murthy thanked the PM for the invitation and noted that he is glad to visit Armenia where the event of international importance for the IT sphere is held and to discuss issues referring to the development of the technological sphere, as well as issues referring to the prospects for cooperation.
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The Head of Government talked about the importance of developing information technologies in Armenia, noting that the Government of Armenia has declared the sector as an economic priority and abides by a consistent policy aimed at making Armenia a technological country, particularly in the direction of developing educational infrastructures and creating relevant atmosphere for talented people.
“We consider education one of the key components for developing our country and at the moment we move forward in the path of implementing reforms in the sphere of education. Our IT sector records stable development with 20-25% annual growth. We have also set broad tax privileges for start-ups,” Nikol Pashinyan said.
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Prime Minister Pashinyan next met with head of Aerospace & Engineering Services of Mubadala Development Company Homaid Abdullah Al Shimmari, another participant of WCIT 2019. Mubadala is an international investment company operating in over 50 countries.
The Prime Minister welcomed the participation of the delegation of Mubadala in such an important event, which is a good opportunity for discussing partnership prospects. Nikol Pashinyan talked about the political changes in Armenia, noting that’s serious steps have been taken to eliminate systemic corruption, which is very important for making the investment atmosphere attractive.
“Our strategy is developing the technological sphere in Armenia, where there is huge potential. The IT sector dynamically develops in our country. We have established a Ministry of High-Tech Industry and we are interested in the possible cooperation with your company,” the Premier said.
Homaid Abdullah Al Shimmari congratulated PM Pashinytan for organizing the 23rd World Congress on Information Technology at a high level and thanked for the invitation to participate in the congress. He presented the activities of the company, noting that Mubadala Investment Company makes sustainable and profitable investments in over 50 countries, aiming to contribute to the development of integrated and diversified international economy.
“We have good impressions from the technological sphere of Armenia and we are interested in cooperation, particularly in the establishment of venture funds,” the representative of the Mubadala company said. The interlocutors exchanged views on the opportunities of cooperation in the IT sector.
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Nikol Pashinyan also met with Senior Vice President at Pixar Animation Studios Katherine Sarafian. Pixar Animation Studios is an American film studio located in the State of California.
Welcoming Katherine Sarafian’s participation in WCIT 2019, the Prime Minister noted that this event of international importance is held in a very important period for Armenia, when following fundamental political changes, the country has embarked upon economic and technological changes.
“Our goal is to make the technological sector a driving force for our economy and the cooperation with your company can be very useful for us. I think you will be able to find interesting platforms for launching technological activities in our country. We will be glad to see you in Armenia not only as a representative of Pixar Animation Studios, but also our compatriot whose achievements make us feel proud,” Nikol Pashinyan said. He introduced the development dynamics of the IT sector in Armenia, the tax privileges for technological companies, noting that the Government continues that process.
Senior Vice President at Pixar Animation Studios Katherine Sarafian said she was glad to be in Armenia for already the fifth time, noting that she last visited our country in 2011 during the opening of the TUMO center for creative technologies. According to her, the IT tools and companies in Armenia have recorded an impressive progress.
Katherine Sarafian informed that an effective cooperation has been established between Pixar Animation Studios and the Armenian office of PicsArt Company, particularly in the sphere of experience exchange of animation specialists and Pixar Animation Studios is ready to continue and expand the cooperation. Katherine Sarafian assessed Prime Minister Pashinyan’s speech at the opening ceremony of WCIT 2019 as quite impressive and wished him every success in his responsible mission.
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The Prime Minister next met with VWmare CEO Rajiv Ramaswami. VWmare is engaged in computing, cloud, networking security, and digital activities. The company opened a local office in 2010.
“I am glad to welcome you to Armenia during this important event. I am delighted to have reliable partners in the person of the Armenian office of VWmare, and we are proud of our compatriots who have established such an effective cooperation between Armenia and your company.
We are looking forward to your company’s new achievements in our country. Our Government is doing everything possible to advance the technological sector in our country. An important step is lowering the amount of profit tax for IT companies, with relevant legislative changes due to come into force from January 1, 2020,” Nikol Pashinyan said. The Prime Minister referred to the dynamics of the development of the IT sector in Armenia, presented the indicators and the steps taken by the Government.
Rajiv Ramaswami said he was glad to visit Armenia and to participate in WCIT 2019. Referring to the activities of the Armenian office of the company, Rajiv Ramaswami noted that back in 2010, when VWmare just started operating in Armenia, it had only 16 employees, but now this number has reached 200. According to him, this fact speaks about the huge technological potential of Armenia, existence of talented specialists and the dynamic development of this sphere.
“We are very happy to invest in the sphere of human talents, which really exists in Armenia. I have only one request to you, add the number of the talents, invest in the sphere of technological education,” the VWmare CEO said.
Nikol Pashinyan noted that the development of the sphere of education and the reforms in that sphere are among the priorities of the Armenian Government and at the moment Armenia is moving forward in the direction of establishing friendly educational conditions for talented people.
Following the meetings Prime Minister Pashinyan toured in the pavilions of WCIT 2019 and got acquainted with the productions and services of the technological companies.
INFORMATION AND PUBLIC RELATIONS DEPARTMENT OF THE OFFICE OF THE PRIME-MINISTER OF THE REPUBLIC OF ARMENIA
