On the sidelines of his working visit to Russia, Acting Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan today called at Innopolis Innovation City in Kazan, which is the first Russian city designed for IT professionals.

Nikol Pashinyan toured the innovation city to get acquainted with Techno Park’s activities and the technological environment. Mayor Ruslan Shagaleev and Techno Park Director General Renat Khalimov presented the goals and objectives of Innopolis, the ongoing projects and development programs, including the public-private sector partnership-enabled development model.

Opened in 2015, the city covers an area of 1200 hectares and currently has 3800 inhabitants. Infrastructure, economic, academic activities and services are based on information technologies and robotics. There is a special economic zone with tax incentives in place, which makes the city attractive for IT companies and startups. More than 360 companies are registered at this point of time. Comprehensive infrastructure is in place to facilitate the provision of different services: residential districts, kindergartens, schools, medical and sports centers, post and bank offices, etc.

Nikol Pashinyan got acquainted with the programs and working conditions of a number of IT-companies operating in the city. Taking the opportunity, several technological enterprises came up with proposals on developing cooperation with Armenia.

Nikol Pashinyan next visited Innopolis University to get acquainted with the ongoing academic and research programs, full funding for which is ensured by the state. The Acting Prime Minister of Armenia called interesting the technological environment created in Innopolis, noting that Armenia’s IT sector is dynamically developing and the government is eager to consistently improve the IT environment in the country. In this context, Nikol Pashinyan stressed the importance of sharing experience with Innopolis as a successful example of applying innovative technologies.

Prior to the trip to Innopolis, Nikol Pashinyan joined the Russian Premier and the heads of government delegations participating in the Eurasian Intergovernmental Council meeting for a visit to Kazan Expo international exhibition center, where he got acquainted with the Center’s ongoing activities.