Fifth digitec business forum to be held soon in Yerevan

YEREVAN, May 23. /ARKA/. The Fifth Digitec Business Forum will be held in Yerevan on June 15 and 16 under the motto “Digital Solutions for Innovative Economy”, Karen Vardanyan, executive director of the Union of Information Technology Enterprises (UITE), said Wednesday at a news conference. 

The forum is organized by the UITE, and its general partner is ArmenTel (traded as Beeline). The event is held under the Armenian prime minister’s patronage and with the support of the USAID-led project Enterprise Development and Market Competitiveness. 

“Despite the fact that earnings from Armenia’s IT sector today reach $250 million with 30% growth, application of IT solutions in public institutions, businesses and the society remain at a low level,” Vardanyan said. “Armenia stands between 90th and 100th ranks in the world in terms of IT solutions applications. This does no credit to a country having such potential in IT area. The aim of the forum is to bring together entrepreneurs and representatives of IT companies for discussing pressing problems, since there is a strong necessity to introduce IT solutions in various areas.”

Vardanyan said that the fifth Digitec forum is peculiar for discussion of problematic issues. 

“A conference focused on introduction of technologies, a number of technological seminars and DigiTec Business traditional exhibition-forum for more than 40 companies will be held as part of the event,” he said. “About 60 local and international companies will take part in the forum.”

A humorous award ceremony will be held for the first time. The worst local and international tenders will be nominated here. Bloggers will get a chance for discussion as well. Startup companies will be encouraged, as always. 

ArmenTel CEO Igor Klimko, who spoke at the news conference as well, said that Digitec annual business forum is a handy instrument for strengthening interaction among companies – it gives a chance not only to experienced companies, but also to startups to establish ties. 

“As a sponsor of this project for years we are happy to see here many new people and companies – representatives of the industrial and services sectors,” he said. 

Zdravko Shami, head of the values system component of Enterprise Development and Market Competitiveness program of the USAID, on his side, said that USAID attaches agreat importance to development of this sector in Armenia and therefore has invited representatives of Eastern Europe countries and Georgia’s IT sectors to attend the forum to present their experience here. 

Shami, who will speak about Macedonia’s experience, stressed that Armenia’s IT sector is more developed than that of his country, but lads behind Macedonia in applying IT solutions. 

That is why USAID intends to provide support to Armenia’s IT sector helping to work out effective marketing mechanisms. 

The Union of Information Technology Enterprises was established in 2000 to protect IT companies’ interests, promote business development and encourage studies in IT industry. Now 60 companies are the union members.-0--