The day before the Armenian government and Microsoft signed long-term agreements to cooperate in IT development, protection of intellectual property rights, data security, education and innovations in Armenia.
The agreements envisage the establishment of a regional center for cloud and mobile solutions in Armenia on the basis of Microsoft Innovation Center. It will enable Armenian technological specialists to develop software solutions using Microsoft’s state-of-the-art technologies and practice.
“We highly appreciate our cooperation with Microsoft, which started back in 2007 when we signed the memorandum of cooperation in information technologies. Owing to it, we ensured the availability and employment of the knowledge and practice of this global and leading company in Armenia,” said Armenian Prime Minister Hovik Abrahamyan.
He especially stressed the establishment of Microsoft IT Academy at the State Engineering University of Armenia (SEUA) and the full package of licensed Microsoft software provided to Armenian educational institutions on preferential terms.
“We signed our first agreement on cooperation in Scotland – founder and president of the company Bill Gates was also there. It’s when we opened our office in Armenia, which was attended by Armenian Vahe Torosyan who previously held my post. Within the framework of the same agreement we opened Microsoft Innovation Center in 2011, which is presently one of the most influential and productively operating centers in the world,” said President of the Microsoft Central and Eastern Europe region Don Grantham.
He added that the new agreements will make the activities of Microsoft Innovation Center more influential.
U.S. Ambassador to Armenia Richard Mills said that this agreement contains an important and a clear message, which is “Armenia wants to expand business in the right way preserving the rule of law and respecting intellectual property rights.”
Minister of Economy of Armenia Karen Chshmarityan signed the memorandum on behalf of the Armenian government. Minister-Chief of Government Staff Davit Harutyunyan and Minister of Education and Science of Armenia Ashot Ashotyan signed the licensing agreements. Armenian Defense Minister Seyran Ohanyan signed the data security plan.
Prior to the signing of the agreements, the delegation of Microsoft had meetings with the Armenian PM, Minister of Economy Karen Chshmarityan and Defense Minister Seyran Ohanyan.