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The RA Presidential Award Ceremony for Global Contribution in the area of IT for year 2013 was held at the Presidential Palace on Friday. 

At the reception held in honor of Mr. Tsugio Makimoto, the President of Semiconductor Industry Association, former CEO of the Hitachi Company and Mrs. Kumiko Makimoto, the President of the Executive Council of the Award Committee of the World Information Technologies (WIT) Hovik Musayelyan presented the procedure of selecting the Award winners, named previous winners of the Presidential Award, spoke about the concept behind the Presidential Award and its goal, as well as about Armenia’s competitive advantage in the IT area. He expressed hope that some years from now, it will be noted that thanks to this Award, the most brilliant and outstanding individuals of the world science, education and business, becoming the recipients of the this Award, will come to Armenia, bringing with them the contemporary culture of high-tech and will promote the image of our country and make it recognizable all over the world as a country which stands on knowledge and intellect. According to Hovik Musayelyan, Armenia's competitive advantage is linked closely to the IT area and our country has every necessary prerequisite and potential to become a regional hub and important player in that area. In his remarks, the President of the Executive Council of the Award Committee also quoted the winner of the RA Presidential Award for 2011, famous Steve Wozniak, “There is no Nobel Prize in the IT area but for me this award equals Nobel Prize. I receive it from the President of Armenia, and I am proud of that.”

A member of the Commission, Tony Moroyan briefly presented to the guests of the reception the biography of the Award winner Tsugio Makimoto.

Present at the reception was the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Japan to Armenia Tikahito Harada who expressed gratitude for the recognition by Armenia of the significant input made by the world-famous Tsugio Makimoto to the IT area and for bestowing him with such a high award, which according to the Ambassador proves the existence of dynamically developing strong friendly ties between Armenia and Japan.

At the reception held on the occasion of the Award ceremony, President Serzh Sargsyan made a statement.

In his thank-you remarks, the Awardee Tsugio Makimoto expressed gratitude for being awarded one of the most prestigious awards in the IT area, spoke about his work and prospects of development of information technologies in the world.

Congratulatory remarks by the President of Armenia at the RA Presidential Award Ceremony for the Global Contribution to the Area of Information Technologies

Distinguished Mr. Makimoto,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Today, I have performed a very enjoyable duty: I have handed to Mr. Tsugio Makimoto the RA Presidential Award for the Global Contribution to the area of the Information Technologies. Dr. Makimoto is one of the most distinguished personalities in Japan’s IT industry. He is so farsighted that his vision and proposals are always ahead of times. In the last fifteen years, we have witnessed creation of various revolutionary goods and platforms which have changed the approaches of the public and even of the specialists, among them Smart cards, Smart phones, electronic books, etc. All this was also inspired by Dr. Makimoto’s ideas.

With this Award, the people of Armenia manifest their admiration and gratitude to those who are moving forward the human civilization and in their own way become symbols of their times. With this Award, we pay tribute not only to Dr. Makimoto but also to his native land – Japan, the home of brave and diligent, wise and talented people. We witnessed how a horrific earthquake shattered Japan; we also witnessed how the people withstood tenaciously that natural catastrophe and how united and organized they work for healing their wounds. For our country and our nation, which have witnessed multiple earthquakes, it is a real lesson.

Japan’s economic and technological achievements are remarkable and instructive not only for us but also for the entire world. With this Award, we also strive to attract attention of our young people to effective deeds and successful people. We want to give our young people right examples and true guidelines. We strongly believe that people are the greatest treasure of the land, and Japan is a strong proof of that.

Dear Mr. Makimoto,
I once again congratulate you on this Award. Please be assured that the Makimoto’s Wave discovered by you has, so to speak, crossed the ocean and reached Armenia. The IT area is the most rapidly developing area in Armenia and we pin great hopes on this promising field. Thanks to the individuals like you, all processes in today’s world, including political, have acquired a new speed. Today’s young people have no idea what new professions will emerge tomorrow. In situation like this every one, no exceptions, has a greater responsibility which makes us move in step with times.

Distinguished Doctor Makimoto,
I wish you and your family good health and all the best, new achievements in your gratifying work. Please be assured that your success will make us here, in Armenia very happy.

Thank you for coming to Armenia, I also thank you for the works you will be performing in Armenia in next ten or twelve days.
Thank you.