The Dangerous Virus of The First Armenian Tablet
Yesterday the first Armenian tablet was introduced to Prime Minister
Tigran Sargsyan, which caused different reactions. Specialists say it
is not something difficult to import parts and set up production
locally, while IT specialists in Armenia are capable of much more, for
example, in the sphere of microelectronics where Armenians are highly
competitive.
On the other hand, parallels were drawn to Armenicum. When Serzh
Sargsyan announced this new medicine, Armenia was going through the
tragedy of October 27. Perhaps, the government needed something that
would impress the society. It should be noted that this move produced
an effect, and although the Armenian and Russian press were skeptical,
the medicine proved viable and is now used in some countries. However,
the form and environment of announcing Armenicum were negatively
perceived, which affected the spread and commercialization of the
medicine.
The first Armenian tablet was also announced in a difficult situation.
The Armenian social and economic situation remains highly centralized,
there are almost no investments, no competition, the rate of
emigration of people capable of working is high. There are no
incentives for the public. In this context the tablet should have an
encouraging role.
In fact, any industry that will be set up in Armenia is good,
especially in high-tech. However, there is no reason for enthusiasm.
On the day when the tablet was introduced, thousands of employees of
IT companies were protesting against the mandatory funded pension.
They are against the introduction of this system because they receive
a high salary and make the middle class that is so important for the
social and economic development of the country. They can afford to pay
for goods and services and make investments in the economy.
Their income decreases, instead they are offered welfare at old age.
The members of government are complaining that people are complaining
of such prospects. However, protest and concerns are grounded. First,
the government of Armenia has not been able to create a social and
economic environment that would inspire confidence in the visible
future at least. Besides, the logic of the government's recent years
of activities has been reduced to `racketeering'. People can see that
only oligopolies prosper in the country who do not pay taxes, make
investments, keep the budget in the shadow, do not sign contracts with
their employees, pay them humiliating salaries. Instead, the
government's every initiative hits the citizens of Armenia, squeezing
them on every occasion and reform.
In this situation, the opinions that the mandatory funded pension is
racket, and people will never benefit from their funds are not
groundless. Instead, they will appear in the pockets of some people
through the private funds.
The government has failed to change the structure of the economy and
the unlawful quota-racket-distribution scheme. Declaring innovation
and progress, all the government has done so far is the role of
supporting the component of racket.
It could have been impossible to remove that structure, especially
that there was a real chance to create a `parallel economy' keeping it
from the encroachments of the oligopolies and creating conditions for
its development.
The high-tech sphere could be the basis, considering the talent and
skills of Armenian specialists who are able to do more than just put
together a tablet. All the government could do was to refrain from
setting barriers and interfering with the development of this sphere.
People employed in this sphere are patriots with a high civil
consciousness and could make the class that would form the Armenian
quality majority without which a state and society would be doomed.
Besides, they can develop technologies that may boost essentially the
level of defense and security of Armenia.
Now the mandatory funded pension forces them to emigrate or hide their
income, meanwhile this sphere does not want to hide income and wants
to pay the taxes and live a dignified life.
It is not late to postpone the project by one year. Otherwise,
intellect and high tech prospects will disappear from Armenia, and
they will maximum assemble tablets as a consolation.
In this world the societies that produce `intellect' are leaders.
Armenians are one of the few peoples that could be competitive at the
highest levels despite the country's misery. Armenia should not be
deprived of this prospect, and the country should not be left up to
the `vision' of the oligarchy's low instincts and motivations. The
summary of this vision is to give up on the sovereignty and
opportunities of the country for the sake of their personal interests.
Or is it the problem?
Haik Aramyan
17:37 07/12/2013
Story from Lragir.am News:
http://www.lragir.am/index/eng/0/comments/view/31493
Yesterday the first Armenian tablet was introduced to Prime Minister
Tigran Sargsyan, which caused different reactions. Specialists say it
is not something difficult to import parts and set up production
locally, while IT specialists in Armenia are capable of much more, for
example, in the sphere of microelectronics where Armenians are highly
competitive.
On the other hand, parallels were drawn to Armenicum. When Serzh
Sargsyan announced this new medicine, Armenia was going through the
tragedy of October 27. Perhaps, the government needed something that
would impress the society. It should be noted that this move produced
an effect, and although the Armenian and Russian press were skeptical,
the medicine proved viable and is now used in some countries. However,
the form and environment of announcing Armenicum were negatively
perceived, which affected the spread and commercialization of the
medicine.
The first Armenian tablet was also announced in a difficult situation.
The Armenian social and economic situation remains highly centralized,
there are almost no investments, no competition, the rate of
emigration of people capable of working is high. There are no
incentives for the public. In this context the tablet should have an
encouraging role.
In fact, any industry that will be set up in Armenia is good,
especially in high-tech. However, there is no reason for enthusiasm.
On the day when the tablet was introduced, thousands of employees of
IT companies were protesting against the mandatory funded pension.
They are against the introduction of this system because they receive
a high salary and make the middle class that is so important for the
social and economic development of the country. They can afford to pay
for goods and services and make investments in the economy.
Their income decreases, instead they are offered welfare at old age.
The members of government are complaining that people are complaining
of such prospects. However, protest and concerns are grounded. First,
the government of Armenia has not been able to create a social and
economic environment that would inspire confidence in the visible
future at least. Besides, the logic of the government's recent years
of activities has been reduced to `racketeering'. People can see that
only oligopolies prosper in the country who do not pay taxes, make
investments, keep the budget in the shadow, do not sign contracts with
their employees, pay them humiliating salaries. Instead, the
government's every initiative hits the citizens of Armenia, squeezing
them on every occasion and reform.
In this situation, the opinions that the mandatory funded pension is
racket, and people will never benefit from their funds are not
groundless. Instead, they will appear in the pockets of some people
through the private funds.
The government has failed to change the structure of the economy and
the unlawful quota-racket-distribution scheme. Declaring innovation
and progress, all the government has done so far is the role of
supporting the component of racket.
It could have been impossible to remove that structure, especially
that there was a real chance to create a `parallel economy' keeping it
from the encroachments of the oligopolies and creating conditions for
its development.
The high-tech sphere could be the basis, considering the talent and
skills of Armenian specialists who are able to do more than just put
together a tablet. All the government could do was to refrain from
setting barriers and interfering with the development of this sphere.
People employed in this sphere are patriots with a high civil
consciousness and could make the class that would form the Armenian
quality majority without which a state and society would be doomed.
Besides, they can develop technologies that may boost essentially the
level of defense and security of Armenia.
Now the mandatory funded pension forces them to emigrate or hide their
income, meanwhile this sphere does not want to hide income and wants
to pay the taxes and live a dignified life.
It is not late to postpone the project by one year. Otherwise,
intellect and high tech prospects will disappear from Armenia, and
they will maximum assemble tablets as a consolation.
In this world the societies that produce `intellect' are leaders.
Armenians are one of the few peoples that could be competitive at the
highest levels despite the country's misery. Armenia should not be
deprived of this prospect, and the country should not be left up to
the `vision' of the oligarchy's low instincts and motivations. The
summary of this vision is to give up on the sovereignty and
opportunities of the country for the sake of their personal interests.
Or is it the problem?
Haik Aramyan
17:37 07/12/2013
Story from Lragir.am News:
http://www.lragir.am/index/eng/0/comments/view/31493