On June 3, the "RISE Powered by Silicon Mountains 2026" two-day high-tech exhibition and forum, organized for the first time in Armenia, commenced at the Karen Demirchyan Sports and Concerts Complex. The event served as a unified platform, bringing together representatives, corporations, research centers, and engineering teams from both the technological and military-industrial sectors.

Welcoming attendees at the official opening ceremony, Mkhitar Hayrapetyan highlighted that three domestic defense companies had already exported military-grade products to two different continents this past May. **

The Minister noted that the sector's real growth has been driven by strategic decisions made in recent years, particularly the three-year program. Outlining the Government's objectives, the Minister highlighted three key focus areas.

First, to develop an advanced domestic defense industry that will serve the needs of the armed forces and drive technological and innovative progress.

Second, to build a new economic segment, turning the military-industrial sector into a new and rapidly growing branch of the economy.

"Today, the military-industrial sector has generated an economic turnover of around 70 billion AMD within the domestic economy, and it is already expanding beyond the borders of the Republic of Armenia. The defense industry and its products are becoming—and indeed have already become—a crucial export sector for our economy," the Minister emphasized, adding that the process is ongoing, and the sector is truly strengthening day by day, becoming a major driver for the economy.

Third, the development of science and the creation of an industrial demand for applied scientific results through state procurement. This comes to complete the interconnectedness between the market economy and science, helping to strengthen the ties between research and industry.

The Minister emphasized that this is only the beginning of a long journey. Within the framework of the first three-year program, the state has invested 172 billion AMD into the sector through procurement orders.

Additionally, the Government has decided to continue its policy of long-term contracting, already securing around 190 billion AMD in new orders. These will provide additional investments for the development of both the economy and the military-industrial sector in the coming years.

Armen Baldryan, President of the Union of Employers of Information and Communication Technologies (UEICT) and CEO of Unicomp CJSC, also delivered welcoming remarks. He emphasized that Armenia has no alternative but to develop its own high-tech industry, as it serves as a locomotive for the entire economy.

"Armenian products must become the driving force that will boost the productivity of our economy and allow us to gain a competitive edge in the global market," said Armen Baldryan.

Mkhitar Hayrapetyan toured the exhibition pavilions, learning about the technological products, innovative solutions, military-industrial developments, and sector-specific growth initiatives presented by the participating companies and organizations.

The goal of the event is to showcase the technological products, innovative solutions, scientific achievements, and ideas of Armenian companies, research centers, and engineering teams, as well as to boost Armenia's international recognition as a high-tech country and drive the sector's future growth.

RISE Powered by Silicon Mountains 2026 was organized by the Union of Employers of Information and Communication Technologies (UEICT), with the support of the Ministry of High-Tech Industry of the Republic of Armenia. The RA Government provided around 60 million AMD in support through a grant format to organize the event. Zangezur Copper Molybdenum Combine is the platinum partner of the event, and Unicomp is the gold partner.