LACK OF INFRASTRUCTURES, POOR-QUALITY INTERNET HAMPER IT DEVELOPMENT IN ARMENIA

ARKA
Oct 9, 2008

YEREVAN, October 9. /ARKA/. Lack of the required infrastructures and
poor-quality Internet hamper IT development in Armenia, Vice-President
on Strategic Market Development at Synopsys Inc., General Director
of Synopsys Armenia Rich Goldman said.

According to him, favorable infrastructures (including uninterrupted
power supply and availability of warehouses) should be established
to attract major IT corporations to Armenian market.

Goldman stressed the necessity to develop the Internet – to raise
speed and bandwidth and reduce the cost. Certain steps have been
made recently in this direction, but much remains to be done in the
country for development of the Internet, he said.

Among other weaknesses he pointed out the problems in customs and
taxation fields, as well as educational matters.

A fundamental educational system exists in Armenia, but the problem
is the lack of experimental basis and scientific developments due
to insufficient funds, Goldman said. Yet, according to him, these
problems can be solved and progress in IT can be achieved if the
country shows will and cooperation for proceeding with IT development.

According to Armenian Ministry of Economy, foreign investments in
information technologies sector are $10mln at minimum. Production
output in the field grew almost by 30% (it was about $100mln at the
end of 2006 – "AR KA").

About 190 companies are actively involved in IT sector. Synopsys
Inc. came to Armenian market in October 2004 after an agreement on
merger was signed between Leda Design and Monterey Arset and Synopsys
Armenian open joint stock company was formed.

Synopsys has it offices in a total of 60 countries (North America,
Europe, and Asia) with the headquarters located in California.