The Government of the Republic of Armenia

In the presence of Prime Minister Hovik Abrahamyan, the Government of the Republic of Armenia and Microsoft signed agreements on long-term cooperation in the spheres of development of information technology in Armenia, intellectual property rights, data protection, education and innovation.

Before the official signing ceremony, Prime Minister Hovik Abrahamyan delivered a speech in which he stated in part, “The IT sphere is one of the fastest growing industries in Armenia, and it is noteworthy that it is listed in several key areas of the program of the Government of the Republic of Armenia. In this context, in December 2014 at the initiative of the Government of the Republic of Armenia, the National Assembly of Armenia adopted a legislative package on state support of information technologies, under which as of 2015 certified IT startup business entities are granted tax benefits.

We greatly encourage the implementation of long-term programs aimed at developing the technology sector on the basis of close cooperation between the public and private sectors, which are meant to promote foreign investment, create new businesses and jobs, skills training and capacity building.

We appreciate our cooperation with Microsoft, which dates back to 2007, when a memorandum was signed on cooperation in the field of information technology, thereby providing access and possibility of use of the world’s leading company’s know-how and experience in Armenia.

Founded in Armenia with the support of Microsoft, the Microsoft Innovation Center, which in 2012 was recognized as one of Microsoft’s four best innovation centers in the world, provides smooth transfer of knowledge through training courses, workshops, as well as by providing logistical assistance to small and medium-sized IT companies.

We attach particular importance of Microsoft’s Academy of Information Technology in the National Polytechnic Institute of Armenia and providing full-license software packages of Microsoft to educational institutions of Armenia on preferential terms.

Today’s signing of cooperation agreements with Microsoft will further strengthen the mutually beneficial cooperation in the region and improve the rating of Armenia as a country that offers innovative technological solutions and protecting intellectual property rights.

The founding of a regional center of innovative solutions in Armenia based on the Microsoft Innovation Center will enhance significantly Armenia’s position in the region as a country that offers development of mobile applications, latest technological solutions in the cloud and security sectors and the establishment in Armenia with the support of Microsoft a cyber-security center, which in turn will stimulate the development and introduction of new technological solutions in the field of defense of Armenia, ensuring the availability of data, training of Armenian specialists to deal with cyber attacks and exchange of information.

Those contracts scheduled for signing today will provide a new foundation for closer cooperation between the Government of Armenia and Microsoft, and I am sure that it will be mutually beneficial in the long run to the benefit of both Armenia and Microsoft, ensuring the development of a strong local technological capacity and integration into global IT processes.

Once again, I welcome you to the Government of the Republic of Armenia and express our willingness to continue and develop the mutually beneficial cooperation.”

The Prime Minister’s speech was followed by those of Microsoft President for Countries of Central and Eastern Europe Don Grantham and U.S. Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to Armenia Richard Mills.

Don Grantham said to be highly honored to attend such an important historic event in the relations between the Republic of Armenia and Microsoft. “The first cooperation agreement was signed in Scotland in the presence of the founder and president of the company Mr. Bill Gates. It was just when we opened our office in Armenia, attended by Vahe Torosyan, an ethnic Armenian who formerly used to hold my position. In 2011, as part of the same cooperation arrangement, we jointly opened the first Microsoft Innovation Center, which is now one of the most influential and effective action centers on a global scale.”

Mr. Grantham said he was proud of the many joint achievements of Armenia and Microsoft that have contributed to the achievement of economic activity and new employment indicators in Armenia, and it appears to be certain that Armenia has a promising future in the field of information technology.

“We are proud that as a result of these investments we reached a promising partnership with the Government of the Republic of Armenia in the interests of the Armenian people. We are proud to be one of the first major international companies having assisted the technological sphere and its potential in Armenia with deep conviction, creating opportunities for talented engineers and entrepreneurs to achieve more. Owing to these new agreements, we are planning to enhance the activities of the Microsoft Innovation Center making them even more effective, to extend the scope of the work on improvement of personnel training, to help individuals and companies with innovative solutions to create new jobs, generate new competitive technological world-class company. The commitment of the Government of the Republic of Armenia to carry out a proper software licensing policy indicates that the Government respects the rights of intellectual property. This will greatly benefit the country and the business environment,” Don Grantham said and on behalf of the company expressed his appreciation to the Prime Minister and the Government of the Republic of Armenia for the efforts made towards the preparation and signing of the agreements.

In turn, U.S. Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to Armenia Richard Mills, on behalf of the Government of the United States congratulated the Prime Minister with the conclusion of the agreement by the Government of the Republic of Armenia, which guarantees the protection of intellectual property rights in accordance with international standards: “This agreement contains an important and resounding message: Armenia wants to do business the right way, respecting the rule of law and intellectual property rights, which have become the cornerstone of a modern economy. Worldwide Armenians are known for their intellectual potential and entrepreneurial skills. To make a better use of their intellectual potential Armenians need to have their rights protected. The signing of the agreement demonstrates that the Government of the Republic of Armenia is committed to protecting the intellectual property rights. Such agreements will help Armenia to attract international investment and promote economic growth. I appreciate the efforts of the Prime Minister in this regard.”

The statements were followed by the signing of a Memorandum of Cooperation between the Government of the Republic of Armenia and Microsoft, agreements on licensing and data security programs.

On behalf of the Government of the Republic of Armenia the Memorandum of Cooperation was signed by Minister of Economy Karen Chshmarityan, the licensing agreements - signed by Minister-Chief of Government Staff David Harutyunyan and Minister of Education and Science Armen Ashotyan, the data security program was signed by Minister of Defense Seyran Ohanyan. On behalf of Microsoft, the documents were signed by Microsoft President for Countries of Central and Eastern Europe Don Grantham.

It should be noted that the Memorandum of Cooperation envisages cooperation in the protection of intellectual property rights in Armenia, data protection, education, information technology development and innovation.

It is also planned to establish a regional center on the basis of the Microsoft Innovation Center in Armenia, cloud and mobile solutions that will enable Armenian specialists to develop software solutions using the latest technologies and Microsoft’s experience and to increase Armenia’s competitiveness in this field.