Monday, 20 May 2013
Armenian Government, IBM Set To Look Into Innovative Economic Capacity Building Approaches
The Armenian government and IBM signed a memorandum of understanding to explore the possibilities of long-term cooperation.
The Memorandum was signed by Minister of Economy Vahram Avanesyan and IBM Vice President Kyril Kornilev in the presence of Prime Minister Tigran Sargsyan.
The agreement on bilateral cooperation was reached during Tigran Sargsyan’s visit to the U.S. late last year.
Welcoming the possibility of mutually beneficial cooperation with IBM, the Prime Minister expressed confidence that it will promote implementation of innovative programs. “I am confident that our partnership will give new strength to the development of information technologies in Armenia, which is one of the priorities of our government,” Tigran Sargsyan said.
The long-term cooperation implies identification of innovative capacity to comply with the government's strategic priorities, covering educational institutions, IT companies and small and medium-size enterprises.
In accordance with the Memorandum, the parties will develop an agreement on establishment of the IBM Center for Innovative Solutions and Technologies in Armenia. They will also examine possibilities for the participation of Armenian schools in the educational programs of IBM to advance knowledge in the field of information technologies, in particular in the fields of cyber-security and e-commerce. Capacity will be built through research and development in the region, as well as the organization of joint events.
“The IT sector is a key sector of economy both around the world and in Armenia, which affects the performance of other industries. Combining the best of IBM and the world’s best expertise with the local know-how and talent, we intend to establish long-term cooperation that will contribute to sustainable economic growth in Armenia and the formation of local capacity as a pledge for competitiveness on the global marketplace,” Kyril Kornilev said.
The Memorandum expresses the willingness of the Government of Armenia and IBM to tackle the problems faced by Armenian small and medium-sized businesses through the use of IBM technologies and tools.
To achieve this goal, IBM will organize training programs and seminars for SME representatives. It will also create an enabling environment to ensure the provision of business and IT services to local small and medium-size enterprises.
“We are glad for the opportunity to engage in such a long-term partnership that can bring about economic growth through enhanced IT labor productivity and use of IT resources,” the IBM Vice President emphasized. The Memorandum is yet another evidence of IBM’s support for economic development, global market opportunities and international expansion.
The Memorandum is not a binding instrument, and does not imply any legal obligation for the Government or IBM.
