Ten years ago the IT sector was declared a priority one n Armenia, but no serious changes have taken place since. In the neighboring countries serious tax and other benefits are or will soon be in effect for innovation, research and development and information technologies, Karen Vardanyan, Executive Director of the Union of Information Technologies Enterprises (UITE), told NEWS.am.

He pointed out the need for serious reforms in Armenia’s technologies industry. Otherwise Armenia will lose its technological potential – companies and young people will leave Armenia to seek better conditions in the neighboring countries.

Business does not enjoy many privileges in Armenia, and small and medium-sized innovation enterprises are under serious pressure. Georgia, Russia and other countries can easily “absorb” the Armenian specialists, and the country will lose its potential, Vardanyan said. Declaring the IT sector a priority was nothing but a PR action. The present programs are not only insufficient, but they are also under pressure, Vardanyan said.