Minister of High-Tech Industry discussed the prospects of cooperation in high technologies with the Ambassador of Canada

On December 13, RA Minister of High-Tech Industry Robert Khachatryan met Andrew Turner- Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Canada to Armenia and the delegation led by him.

The Minister welcomed the guests and congratulated Andrew Turner on the appointment and the opening of the Embassy of Canada in Armenia, expressing hope that this will raise bilateral relations to a new level.

Robert Khachatryan introduced the main activity directions of the Ministry of High-Tech Industry, noted that the Ministry, as a policy-making body, is responsible for information and telecommunication technologies, digitalization and cyber security, regulation of aerospace, military industry sectors, development of the startup ecosystem.

The Minister emphasized that the development of high-tech sector is one of the strategic directions of the RA government, and all the programs implemented by the Ministry are aimed at ensuring the growth and development of the sector, also in cooperation with international partners.

Andrew Turner expressed his hope that the opening of the Embassy of Canada in Armenia will provide an opportunity to deepen relations between the companies of the two countries, especially in the field of information and telecommunication technologies (ICT), creating a positive basis for the business community operating in Canada to consider Armenia as a partner country. The Ambassador also inquired about the challenges and opportunities in the sector that Canadian companies can consider before entering the Armenian market.

Robert Khachatryan presented the "Engineering City" program, which provides resources and opportunities to organizations in the field, the activity directions of Gyumri and Vanadzor technology centers, "TUMO" creative technology center and "COAF" smart centers.

During the meeting, the parties also referred to the World Congress on Information Technology (WCIT), which will be held in 2024 in Armenia, as well as other important events and exhibitions that bring together industry representatives from Armenia and abroad every year. Opportunities for Canadian companies to participate in such events were discussed.

At the end of the meeting, the parties expressed their willingness to raise bilateral cooperation to a new level.