Armenia, as a consumer of technology, is no different from Zimbabwe, although it differs significantly in technological potential, said the e-Hayq company founder Vahagn Poghosyan at the discussions of the 7th Business Innovation Forum (BIF-2019) on Sunday.

According to him, Armenia is defeated in the issue of state purchases of technologies and weapons, the country's authorities traditionally give preference to even outdated, but always foreign systems and technologies.

Armen Manukyan, founder of Masys Information Systems, noted that until Armenia introduces its own innovations, the country will not be fully independent. He noted that at present, the development of Armenian specialists is being used in the US and in Europe, and it is necessary to reach the level so that the primary use of Armenian innovations is carried out precisely in Armenia. “Armenia should become a kind of laboratory for the successful implementation of innovations,” he said.

The NSS representative, Arthur Danielyan, did not agree with the assessments of his colleagues. He noted that under the EU current requirements, not a single Armenian company will be able to take part in projects funded by European grants or loans. However, today there are examples of the participation of Armenian developers in projects that are created almost from scratch, Danielyan said, adding that part of the money is spent on international experts.