YEREVAN, JULY 17, NOYAN TAPAN. The Union of Information Technology Enterprises of Armenia (UITE) organized a conference on July 17 to discuss the ways of developing the startups in Armenia's IT sector and identify the obstacles to their development. Representatives of about a dozen startups in IT industry and the bodies assisting with promotion of small and medium entrepreneurship in the sector participated in the conference. According to Executive Director of the UITE Karen Vardanian, the purpose of the event is to initiate joint steps by IT startups. He said that a body for protection of the interests of such enterprises is likely to be set up. On behalf of the UITE, he expressed a willingness to provide assistance to the body to be created. The startups in IT sectors were proposed that in addition to holding discussions among themselves, they should have meetings with the heads of leading IT companies in order to get acquainted with their experience. K. Vardanian reminded that under the IT sector development concept approved by the Armenian government in 2008, it is envisaged increasing the number of IT companies currently making 200 to a thousand. In his opinion, in order to achieve this goal, it is necessary to open 500-1,000 enterprises a year and to ensure such conditions that will enable at least 100 of them to develop. Chairman of the UITE Hovhannes Avoyan in his turn underlined the necessity to take into account the development of new products and attract the necessary experts to enterprises when new enterprises are established. He attached special importance to the extension of the database on employees of these enterprises and their potential customers. The participants discussed the experience of IT startups, provision of state assistance and privileges to them, delivery of services in line with market requirements in the educational system, as well as problems related to the business environment, in particular, to the registration of businesses, tax administration, and marketing of enterprises. During the conference, Microsoft Bizpark program, the assistance provided by the Small and Medium Entrepreneurship Development National Center of Armenia (SME DNC) and Orange Franchise concept were presented.

---