YEREVAN (Arka)—The seventh annual DigiTec Business Expo 2014 kicked off Friday in Yerevan with 51 domestic and 13 foreign IT companies showcasing their products and services. The opening ceremony was attended by Prime Minister Hovik Abrahamian and US ambassador John Heffern.

 

The purpose of the trade show is to facilitate various businesses in search of the best technological solutions as well as to provide a platform for information and communications technology (ICT) companies to meet with potential clients.

Deputy CEO of ArmenTel, Varuzhan Melkonyan, said at the opening ceremony that Armenia’s IT industry is essential for the development of all sectors of the economy. He said the industry has experienced significant progress since 2001 as evidenced by the products and solutions presented at the forum.

The U.S. ambassador stressed in his turn the need for practical applications of the innovative technologies presented.

“The U.S. embassy and USAID support educational institutions of Armenia in training IT engineers who can start work immediately and help develop the sector,” Heffern said.

The forum is expected to draw over three thousand visitors. This year’s event is featuring a range of topics, including tourism, trade, services, agriculture, processing, construction, mining, finance, banking, e-commerce, health, education, and transport.

Prime Minister Abrahamian said the government will do everything possible “not only in words but also in deeds” to promote the IT sector.

“The IT sector is one the fastest developing sectors of the economy. Advances in the IT field inspire confidence that Armenia may become the leading IT country in the region,” said Abrahamian.

The DigiTec Business Forum is held under the patronage of the government. The general sponsor is ArmenTel; other sponsors are Russian ARinteg Company and Converse Bank. The event is organised by the Union of Information Technology Enterprises (UITE).

UITE was founded in 2000 as a non-profit, non-governmental association of ICT companies working in Armenia. Its vision is to ensure that there is an internationally competitive ICT/High Tech industry in Armenia.