In the context of the internecine fight, interesting things are happening in the economy of Armenia. Particularly, the U.S. is more active. An economic conference was organized by the U.S. embassy to Armenia on the lack of competition in the Armenian economic field and the search for solutions.
U.S. Ambassador John Heffern said in case of a predictable tax and customs system and rule of law in Armenia U.S. companies will invest in Armenia.
What investments does he mean? Let’s imagine for a while that the Armenian government has the necessary will to create a competitive economy and rule of law.
In this sense, one should recall one of Tigran Sargsyan’s interviews several years ago when he stated that Armenia cannot compete with China or India in light industry but Armenia’s economic vision is closer to the U.S. economy which is built on a science-based and technological production.
In the case of Armenia, this prospect seems ambitious. But the situation may change if the U.S. and Armenia become real partners in this sphere. Armenia’s economy may really change if the government is willing to carry out rapid changes to enable American companies to invest in IT in Armenia.
For this purpose, this sphere needs to be open. It needs a policy that will be free from clan thinking, quotas, it needs equal opportunities and competition for the Armenian IT companies, it needs free environment where they can compete in establishing relations with influential foreign partners.
They are thinking about establishing an IT ministry in Armenia. What will this give besides additional burden for taxpayers? This ministry will hardly bring more to the state than what the ministry of the Diaspora has brought which is just a successful “travel agency”.
Instead of establishing a new ministry it would be better to have the “old” ones work as they are competent enough to regulate any sphere, in particular IT.
In this situation, the U.S. economic prospect for Armenia is not a boastful or ridiculous ambition but a realistic scenario. Moreover, the U.S. seems willing to support it.
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