The newspaper “Zhoghovurd” reported that during a pre-election rally in Vanadzor on December 5, 2018, Nikol Pashinyan announced the opening of the first cultural center in the new Armenia. The center was said to feature state-of-the-art technology, including an Armenian-brand television. However, it turns out that this statement was misleading.

On the same day, the management of the “Eye for I” Electronic Technology Production Complex in Merdzavan, Aragatsotn Region, revealed that Nikol Pashinyan had actually visited their construction site. This complex is a joint investment project between Armenia and Lebanon. Pashinyan inspected the facilities, familiarized himself with the equipment and programs, and learned that the initial capital investment and operating costs amount to $4.5 million.

In the initial phase, the complex will employ 70-80 people and produce 126 thousand units of household appliances such as televisions, refrigerators, air conditioners, stoves, and other technology. The center is expected to not only serve Armenia but also the region and other CIS countries. Pashinyan emphasized the significance of establishing high-tech household appliance production in Armenia and assured continued government support for investment programs in various sectors of the economy.

The company “I Am 3 Group” also announced the availability of their television sets in the market, which are supposedly sold in the Eldorado electronic store network. However, the “Office for the Protection of Rights” attempted to visit the factory site but was unable to meet with the management. They subsequently visited Eldorado stores and discovered that Armenian-made televisions were not available.

On May 23, 2019, the Minister of Territorial Administration and Infrastructure, Tigran Khachatryan, disclosed that the production of high-tech household appliances had already commenced in the company, contrary to previous reports. He mentioned that the factory currently employs 15 people and assured that the production process would eventually involve no more than 70 individuals. Additionally, there are already 1,200 sets available.

Pashinyan acknowledged that this is the first attempt to establish high-tech production in Armenia, a feat that was not achieved in previous years. He voiced optimism that television sets and other high-tech appliances would be produced locally rather than imported. However, the factory’s operation has not yet commenced.