IT field registers growth, government financing remains unchanged

PanARMENIAN.Net - Communication and IT sector proceeds grossed 192,5 bln in 2010 in Armenia, exceeding last year’s index by 103%. According to the National Statistical Service of Armenia, proceeds from telecommunication and IT services totaled AMD 159 bln and 20 bln respectively. Trade and production in the sector of technologies and telecommunications yielded AMD 11 million and 1,9 billion respectively.

PC users comprise one-fourth of the Armenian population, according to Enterprise Incubator Foundation (EIF) research data. As EIF director Bagrat Yengibaryan told PanARMENIAN.Net computer penetration in Armenia grew by 5-10% against 2009 results. EIF director believes the growth was caused by Computer for Everyone governmental program launched December 8, 2010.

The building of the Armenian-Indian Center of Excellence in ICT (CoEICT) is expected to be constructed by September-October 2011. The tender will be announced in the near future, Enterprise Incubator Foundation (EIF) CEO Bagrat Yengibaryan told a PanARMENIAN.Net reporter. “Meanwhile, we will continue organizing workshops,” he said. “3 IT specialists have already returned from India, where they had a training course. 5 more specialists are still there and will come back in March.” Yengibaryan also informed that the Indian side has already delivered over 6 thousand of textbooks and a part of equipment. “Super computer Param will be delivered by the autumn,” he said.

A two-day workshop on high performance computing organized by the Enterprise Incubator Foundation (EIF) was held in Yerevan. Indian experts Ashish Ranjan and Sandeep Agrawal conduct the seminar hosting representatives of Armenian IT companies and Armenian-Russian (Slavonic) University.

Synopsys, Inc. (Nasdaq: SNPS), a world leader in software and IP for semiconductor design, verification and manufacturing, and Jawaharlal Nehru Technological University (JNTU) Hyderabad have signed a long-term cooperation agreement establishing a Microelectronics program developed in Synopsys Armenia Educational department in VLSI Engineering at JNTU Hyderabad. The program is aimed at training local talent and providing highly skilled specialists that can address the complex design requirements of semiconductor industry companies. Training skilled specialists in electronics is a key factor in the competitiveness of India’s high-tech economy.

Public Relations Manager of the Agency for Government Purchases Vasak Tarposhyan said that Polish Security Printing Works company and French Oberthur organization won the tender for production of biometric passports in Armenia. The companies were selected by two formats. The Polish company estimated the project at 4,300,000 euros, which should be paid as a lump sum. Oberthur estimated the project cost to make $22.5mln, which can be paid within five years. Tarposhyan told a PanARMENIAN.Net reporter that the Armenian government will adopt the final decision after consideration of the projects. The tender for production of biometric passports was held from October 27 to December 10, 2010, with participation of eight foreign companies.

A ban for outgoing international VoiP calls issued by Public Services Regulatory Commission (PSRC) of Armenia will protect mobile connection providers from fraud, according to the head of ArmenTel PR service. As Anush Beghloyan told PanARMENIAN.Net on one hand, the resolution will secure providers from hackers’ actions and save them the necessity of paying for illegal international calls. On the other hand, ArmenTel will be protected from dishonest providers renting connection channels from operators. In the course of 2010, PSRC fined 2 providers for illegal termination of calls.

Armenia Fund USA donated much needed laptops to several institutions of culture and education in Armenia and Karabakh following its $ 20.8 million Thanksgiving Day Telethon fundraising efforts. The donated laptops are equipped with 5-in-1 digital media and high definition BrightView displays, and loaded with Genuine Windows 7. Their use will add ease to personnel’s day-to-day operations as well as support their ongoing research and presentations.

A young Armenian-American animator and radio-podcast host is developing a free iPhone App dedicated to the recognition of the Armenian Genocide. The “Armenian Monument” app, produced by the 30-year-old creator and host of Raw Radio, Alex Nisanian, will be the first complete iPhone app on Genocide recognition. Having designed all the graphics necessary for the app, Nisanian is now looking for public support and grassroots funding to help develop the app for free distribution.

Western Diocese of the Armenian Apostolic Church has launched an application on iTunes Store. Therefore, owners of iPhone, iPod touch and iPad will get access to the latest news and events happening within the Western Diocese of the Armenian Church of North America as well as to interesting and educational podcasts and videos. Besides, a constantly updated directory of the parishes of the Western Diocese will be provided.