IT representatives are demanding to increase funding for science in Armenia, bringing it to 4% of the budget, Gevorg Safaryan, co-founder of EarlyOne and Limetech, told reporters on February 8.

According to him, this can be done gradually, that is - to increase the share of funding to 2% from 2022, and to 3% from 2023. Safaryan noted the importance of a preliminary inventory of resources, combining the development of science with the country's development strategy and formulating a well-thought-out program and its implementation through appropriate funding.

"It is also very important to ensure technological transfer, that is, the direct application of scientific achievements in the economy. This, in turn, will make it possible to further develop the science itself, since additional funds will appear. All these steps need to be taken urgently, although the matter has not yet reached further discussions. However, the Minister of Education, Science, Culture and Sports of Armenia and the working committee also agreed with the 4% figure. Today there are 4 thousand employees in the IT field in Armenia, that is, there are personnel - you just need to provide them with state orders," he noted.

Union of Advanced Technology Enterprises of Armenia CEO Raffi Kassarjian noted the importance of close cooperation between the state, private and public sectors. 

"It is necessary to pay special attention to science, moving away from the traditional approach, when education and science are considered in the same plane. To ensure an annual growth in the IT sector of 25-30%, it is important to retain staff directly in the scientific field. Such specialists have a greater effect in the long term than when they decide at some point to go to the private sector. If we achieve a certain level of development of science, then this will allow more intensive involvement in international projects," he explained.

Arto Minasyan, Co-Founder & President at Krisp added that based on the example of the company he founded, it is possible to create a successful scientific product in Armenia in a short period of time. 

"The company is only 4 years old, and it is already worth $ 120 million. To preserve and develop this potential in Armenia, it is necessary to increase funding for science," he concluded.