Hakob Arshakyan, the Minister of High-Technological Industry of Armenia, participated in the conference, entitled "Strengthening Provinces through High-Tech Promotion," being held in Gyumri.

The conference will focus on developing high-tech education models in Armenia’s provinces, in collaboration with international partners and universities, the Ministry of High-Technological Industry informed Armenian News-NEWS.am.

Minister Arshakyan emphasized that Gyumri is becoming one of the leading technological cities.

"We consider the development of the provinces a priority," the minister said. “There is a human talent in Armenia (…); this gives us the confidence that Armenia should become a high-tech industrial country.”

The minister urged the youth to look into the ministry's plans for next year, where they would like to be active.

"Next year we plan to have 3,000 new people educated in new technologies in the provinces, with the participation of technology companies in universities," the minister stressed.

Hakob Arshakyan expressed confidence that Armenia will soon become a powerful military-industry country.

Eva Maria Näher, the “Support to SME Development in Armenia” project team leader, also addressed the conference.