Without USAID: Approval of the strategic high-tech industry development program expected in the first half of 2026

The development process for the strategic program to advance the high-tech industry has resumed and is now being funded by the state. This was announced today, February 16, by Minister of High-Tech Industry Mkhitar Hayrapetyan while presenting the ministry’s results for the past year.

The minister recalled that work on the strategy had previously been suspended due to developments related to USAID, as the funding had been provided through that channel.

He explained that the government later decided to continue the work using state funding. Rather than launching a new process, the ministry chose to proceed with the one that had already begun with international partners in the second half of 2024. On June 30, 2025, a service agreement was signed between the ministry and Ameria CJSC, under which the work was officially resumed.

According to Hayrapetyan, an analytical report outlining the framework for the strategic program has already been prepared, including a comprehensive review of the global high-tech sector. The document identifies priority technological areas such as artificial intelligence, data science and machine learning, software development, bioengineering and medical technologies, as well as engineering. The minister noted that the report has been submitted for review by international experts and was presented on November 25 at a meeting of the Science and Technology Development Council under the Prime Minister.

Hayrapetyan added that work is currently underway to define strategic objectives, develop a results framework and action plan, and conduct consultations with stakeholders. The strategic program is expected to be approved in the first half of 2026.