On July 20 ”My step for Shirak Province” investment-business forum was held in Gyumri Technology Center, implemented by the joint efforts of the Government of Armenia, Shirak Regional Administration, Inecobank, Ameriabank, Enterprise Incubator Foundation and the Gyumri Technology Center.

The forum, which was attended by representatives of various sectors, such as information technology, agriculture and tourism, creates an opportunity to represent the economic potential and development perspectives of the region, as well as ready-made investment projects.

Remarks were delivered by Armenian PM Nikol Pashinyan and Shirak Governor Tigran Petrosyan.

Enterprise Incubator Foundation was the partner of the forum. In the framework of the panel discussions, Amalya Yeghoyan,  regional high-tech development manager of EIF presented the development history of the IT sector in the regions and talked about the future of the industry.  

She emphasized the importance of sectoral decentralization from Yerevan to regions and noted that EIF is doing everything to ensure constant development of the IT sector in regions.

Amalya Yeghoyan presented how executives of different technological companies have come to Gyumri and established enterprises during the recent years, which led to decentralization of IT sphere in Gyumri.

Showcasing the achievements of Gyumri Technology Center, Amalya Yeghoyan also highlighted some striking numbers: 500+ specialists, 30 companies, 100+ partners.

In the scope of the forum,  Shirak Governor Tigran Petrosyan, Director of Synopsys Armenia Hovik Musayelyan and regional high-tech development manager of EIF Amalya Yeghoyan signed a Memorandum of Understanding for the purpose of improving the quality of higher education in Shirak region and creating an innovative educational environment, especially for developing the infrastructure and the re-equipment of the Gyumri branch of the National Polytechnic University of Armenia.

According to Director of Synopsys Armenia Hovik Musayelyan, the goal of the memorandum is to make technology education a priority in Gyumri.

“The first steps will be made in the Gyumri branch of National Polytechnic University of Armenia. It’s obvious that Gyumri will become a technological center. It is possible to provide international level education here, and we see that potential in the Gyumri branch of National Polytechnic University of Armenia. With the support of the government, we are provided with space, and the construction will start soon. The moment is not far away when we will rename Gyumri Square to the Technological Square,” announced Hovik Musayelyan.

Shirak Governor Tigran Petrosyan noted that he hopes that Nikol Pashinyan’s example of starting from Shirak will be contagious for businessmen.

”We have divided the participants of our forum into two segments – people who have started from Shirak and people plan to start from Shirak. With this forum we want to show Shirak as it is, showcase our emotions,” Petrosyan said.

The Business Expo was held in the framework of the forum, where around 60 local companies and individuals presented their products and services.

“My step for Shirak region” business forum, initiated by the Government of the Republic of Armenia, Shirak Regional Administration, Inecobank, Ameriabank, Enterprise Incubator Foundation and the Gyumri Technology Center, aims to create a platform, which will promote the development of the economy and the communities of Shirak region through multilateral collaboration among local and foreign businesses.

The Forum gives an opportunity to present the economic potential, development prospectives of the Region, as well as ready-made investment projects.