E-Society and Innovation for Competitiveness (EIC) Project

closed

The project development objective of the E-Society and Innovation for Competitiveness Project for Armenia is to address constraints to competitive e-society and enterprise innovation in Armenia by strengthening the underlying infrastructure and enabling environment. There are three components to the project. Component one: e-society infrastructure development. This component will provide financing to support the design and development of the Armenian Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) infrastructure required for e-society through: (a) supporting sub-project for deployment of national broadband information infrastructure, including backbone network and broadband access on a Public Private Partnership (PPP) basis with adequate international linkages and necessary connections for public institutions throughout the country (government virtual private network); (b) supporting a digital citizen program aimed at enhancing trust and security in the provision of electronic services and hence promote further uptake of electronic services by citizens and businesses through support to the creation of a national certification authority for electronic signatures; and (c) promoting increased computer penetration and digital literacy through a computer for all program. Component three: fostering enterprise innovation. This component will focus on supporting programs, financial mechanisms and infrastructure that will create a favorable enabling environment for knowledge and technology-driven companies through: (a) promoting financial support for innovation in knowledge and technology-intensive firms, through various grant programs to support innovation and creation of a Seed and Early Stage Venture Fund; (b) providing support for the establishment of the Gyumri Technology Center, to provide technology support and incubation services to local firms and entrepreneurs as an important piece in the government's strategy for regional economic development in the Gyumri marz; and (c) providing assistance for the development of the Information Technology/Knowledge-intensive industry in Armenia, by supporting skills and technology development, and firms' linkages with demanding international markets and Armenian research capabilities, including establishment of sales force representation Office. A third component for project management will provide assistance for management and monitoring of project implementation.