On December 17 a memorandum of understanding was signed between the RA Ministry of High Technology and the “My Step” Charitable Foundation to jointly prosper and accomplish the “Neruzh” program. The memorandum was signed by the RA Minister of High-Tech Industry Vahagn Khachaturyan and the executive director of “My Step” Charitable Foundation Mkhitar Hayrapetyan.

The RA Ministry of High-Tech Industry told “Armenpress” the purpose of the memorandum, which is the involvement of the Diaspora’s potential in the development of Armenia’s economy and the stimulation of repatriation. It is also expected to cooperate in the implementation of an innovative and technological startup ecosystem in Armenia.

“The signing of the memorandum will give us an opportunity to unite the professional potential and the abilities of Armenia and the Diaspora to use them for the benefit of the development of the high-tech sphere,” mentioned Vahagn Khachaturyan.

“Earlier, the “Armenian virtual bridge” program was implemented, through which the reverse process was accomplished. Our specialists were given the opportunity to work and acquire experience in Silicon Valley companies, ” added the Minister.

“In the framework of this program, we plan to assist young professionals of the Diaspora in the implementation of their initiatives in Armenia. The ideas of the Ministry and the “My Step” Foundation have coincided on this point, and we plan to implement them within the next year” noted the Minister.

“Considering the fact that the involvement of the intellectual and economic potential of the Diaspora is a priority for us, “Neruzh” is one of the key programs of the RA Government. With this initiative, the RA Government allows Diaspora youth, startups with business ideas and with a desire to implement them in Armenia, to receive grants, and after moving to Armenia, to accomplish them, ” mentioned Mkhitar Hayrapetyan.

According to the source, the Executive Director of the “My Step” Charitable Foundation added that the preliminary grant amount will be 80-100 million drams.

It is also noted that the aim of the “Neruzh” program is to involve talented Diaspora entrepreneurs and engineers, to stimulate repatriation, and to develop the startup ecosystem of Armenia as well.