By Victoria Vardanyan

YEREVAN, June 29 — The Armenian Presidential Award for the global contributions in information technology was handed to Intel Corporation’s former CEO and Chairman of the Board, Craig R. Barrett by President Sarge Sarkisian. Barrett is the first-ever recipient of this award.

“When introducing Mr. Barrett, people often describe him as a good supporter of improving education in the world, a man who always knew how to look ahead and say ‘Knowledge is the future.’ That is my vision of a businessman of our times. I want all entrepreneurs in our country to follow this example,” said the president.

After receiving the award from Sarkisian, Craig Barrett, in his acceptance speech said, “It’s nice to be in Armenia and to become the first recipient of your award. I am here not as an individual, I represent thousands of people who for decades have made an enormous contribution to the advancement of information technologies, bringing them to the modern state. “

Barrett previously served as chairman of the UN Global Alliance on development of information and communication technologies. He actively participated in several national programs in his country and worked in advisory bodies under the President of the United States.

The main purpose of the award is to recognize and honor individuals from global IT areas, as well as for them to become  acquainted with the economy and investment opportunities in Armenia.

Yerevan Report