Armenia: Democratic state, fair society and knowledge-based economy that generates innovation

The objective of the session is to reveal the solid contribution that Armenia brings to the region and the huge potential it can bring to the wider region, outline a vision and address the mega directions and megaprojects of Armenia's development. In the strategic region with Armenia’s unique position connecting countries across the West, East, North and South, the Government of Armenia has aimed to develop a country and an economy, which on the one hand will offer the world technological and innovative products, and on the other hand, will significantly contribute to the movement of people and goods with its developing infrastructure. 

Armenia has been finding its place on the world’s economic map by virtue of developing a fundamentally new knowledge-based environment with emphasis put on education, science, research and development. As an evidence, TUMO, recognized as the world’s premier tech education program for teens, got its start in Yerevan and is now being exported to the world’s major capitals.  Moreover, the Armenian Government just unveiled a ground-breaking new program (the Academic City Project) to create a fundamentally new knowledge-based/STEM talent pipeline and R&D ecosystem via the large-scale transformation of Armenian schools and universities. 

Armenia’s high-tech industry that is at the forefront for innovation is making a way to a leading exporter of high-tech products, communications technologies and services for global markets becoming a major hub for a knowledge-based activity. The powerful legacy has turned into modern times with major international tech players and bleeding-edge, home-grown start-ups building large engineering bases here. High tech clusters are one of the big investment potentials for the country. 

Armenia offers a unique bridge between Europe and Asia. Developing closer ties with the neighbours as well as with other partners, including the European Union, through strategic projects (such as "The Crossroads of Peace") will enhance the country’s potential for further development. Doing business in Armenia creates the opportunity to cooperate with several other countries that also have promising growth opportunities. The implemented and ongoing reforms in the business and investment climate being driven by the Government facilitate the provision of promising opportunities to foreign investors. 

The Investment Outlook Session for Armenia is an unique opportunity to reveal comparative advantage of the country in terms of doing business, making investments both in private sector and in the country's strategic initiatives.

In particular, the session will highlight the investment attractiveness of the RA economy, focusing on mega initiatives in the areas of education, high technologies and the strategies to establish a knowledge-based economy, as well as on the role of “The Crossroads of Peace” in achieving peace and prosperity in the region. The panel will explore priority aspects of education sector policy, the innovative educational cluster "Academic City," the ongoing strategic developments in the high-tech sector, and perspectives on investment and business within the evolving landscape.

• Vahagn Khachaturyan, President, Republic of Armenia
• Odile Renaud-Basso, President, EBRD
• Pegor Papazian, Chief Development Officer, TUMO Center for Creative Technologies
• Mkhitar Hayrapetyan, Minister of High-Tech Industry, Republic of Armenia
• Zhanna Andresyan, Minister of Education, Science, Culture and Sports, Republic of Armenia
• Noubar Afeyan, Founder and Chief Executive Officer, Flagship Pioneering, Chair and Co-founder, Moderna
• Yervant Zorian, President, Synopsys Armenia