In the pivotal fields of the Armenian economics there is a big, but not fulfilled stimulus of development and due to its application it is possible to gain competitiveness in world and regional markets. The Armenian National Competitiveness Foundation, that has worked since 2008 and is based on the cooperation of the Armenian government and leading businessmen from the USA, Russia, EU, Middle East aims at reaching the sudden development in the mentioned fields by investment projects. “Noyan Tapan” reporter talked to the head of public relations of the Armenian National Competitiveness Foundation Zara Amatuni over the activities of the foundation and issues referring to the projects. “When did the idea of the project of sudden development in the pivotal field of the Armenian economics come?” “The idea came in 2009, in the first half of the year, when we chose the fields and subfields of gaining sudden development." “In what field is it possible to have success in a short period of time?” “For example, it is possible to gain competitiveness in the field of tourism, health service in an average period of time, but in the field of education we need much more time, as deeper, long-lasting study and big investments are necessary for the development of this field”. “The presentation of strategic project of the South corridor of the Armenian tourism(from Areni wine-making region of Vayoc Dzor to Tatev-Goris area) took place on April 21. Why was just the South corridor chosen?” “The South corridor has not used such potentials as rich nature, peculiar landscape, which make possible to organize walking trip, rock climbing and other events that are interesting for tourists. Besides, we aim at developing another project that is “Tatev renaissance”, in the frames of which it is envisaged to reconstruct Tatev monastery of the 9th century and to improve the adjacent areas. This project will act till 2016. In its frames we aim at developing culinary tourism, introducing the old Armenian food to foreigners and at the same time to present it in a new way”. “According to the information of the press, as a result of “Strategy project of the South corridor” it is possible to improve the living standard of villages. What does this especially refer to?” “The peculiarity of the tourism is the active participation of inhabitants in the events in the centre of tourism. Thus, the tourists get acquainted not only with the area, but also communicate with inhabitants which present themselves with the specific colour.” “It is known that the foundation cooperates with a number of international companies , which present their offers to you. What projects were offered connected with tourism and by who?” “For example, in 2010, a famous “Mcknsey & Company” presented the project of establishing “Training center” in Sevan, which hasn’t been yet confirmed.” Or, for instance, in the same year, American expert of the field Charlz Chavdaryan presented the project about “Mozrov cave”. It relates to the caves in the adjacent areas of Mozrov village in Eghegnadzor, that can interest lovers of rock climbing”. "The existence of information centers in the particular country is important to the field of tourism. Do you have the project of forming such centers?" "Yes, this year, as a result of cooperation with tour operators, the projects of forming and developing information centers are worked out. By the help of the government, appropriate areas of creating such centers will be given in Yerevan and Tatev." “The foundation plans to make sudden changes in the filed of health service. It is known that by the project of nuclear medicine, it is envisaged to set up a structure in Yerevan that will produce the necessary nuclear isotopes for diagnosing cardiovascular diseases and treating cancer. Who works on that project and in what phase is it ?” "First of all, “Mcknsey & Company” made researches in Armenia, having two basic problems, that is how much the project is perspective in Armenia and how to become the competitive center of the region. In April, we have the chance to use the experiment of German professor, the director of scientific engineering of Heidelberg general hospital. As a result of the cooperation with “I.B.A” Belgian company, we gained cyclotron-speeder that produces nuclear isotopes." “You have mentioned that the field of education requires the most long-lasting work. The education program of the foundation is focused on the education, science and “innovation triangle” of technology. In what method will this "triangle” work?" "The confirmation of the conception is necessary in the field of education. This issue is in the process of discussion by the council of trustees of the foundation. “The centers of superiority” will be formed, that will give a chance to unite the stimulus in educational centers(especially in the Universities). The development of education is possible by self-financing. For example, by the profits of hotel services, retail trade, it is feasible to satisfy necessary expenses for the development of the field. Surely, the state expenses are also significant for the development of this field." “The foundation has also worked out “Armenia with broad-layer telecommunications connection” project that aims at widening the availability of the network and providing Armenia with cheap and available Internet. With what foundations do you cooperate and in what phase is the project?” “We cooperate with the interested sides of the project, that is World Bank, RA Ministries of Economics, Transport and Connection, “The incubator foundation of enterprises”. Last year, we cooperated with Germanic “Detecon International” company, which studied the substructures of the Internet in Armenia. Having selected Gegharquniq region as a “pilot model”, the company offered the ways of developing telecommunications in Armenia. Besides the government, the private companies also played an important role in the implementation of the project. There is an inter-agency committee, which announced the acceptance of business-projects by private companies. The winner company will cooperate with the state to make the Internet cheaper and available in Armenia.” “In the way of implementation of the above mentioned projects the presentation of Armenia and the foundation can play an important role. What work is carried out for this?” "Armenia presents herself in the international exhibitions, press conferences, conference-discussions. For example, in 2009, in “Belkli University” in California, a conference-discussion was held, that presented the projects of development and investment in Armenia, the activities of the ANCF. Such meeting was held in Washington, 2010, where the presentation of the activity of the foundation took place. This year, the foundation, together with tour operators of Armenia presented our country in the international exhibitions in Berlin, Germany and Utrecht , Holland. The projects are mainly presented to European target markets(England, France, Italy, German). This year, we plan to participate at least in two international exhibitions. The aim of participation in such exhibitions in foreign countries is not only the attraction of tourists, but also the communication with different tour operators, the exchange of thoughts and experience."

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