On December 5, “Philip Morris Armenia” company signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Yerevan State University (YSU) and National Polytechnic University of Armenia (NPUA).

According to the Memorandum signed between Philip Morris Armenia and Yerevan State University, Philip Morris Armenia will support the University's educational and research programs, and according to the Memorandum signed between Philip Morris Armenia and National Polytechnic University of Armenia, the company plans to establish a research center in the area of the university.

On March 2, a framework memorandum of understanding was signed between the Ministry of Economic Development and Investments of the Republic of Armenia and Philip Morris International Management SA by the Minister of Economic Development and Investments of the Republic of Armenia Suren Karayan and Philip Morris International Management SA Eastern Europe, Middle East and Africa and Phillip Morris International Duty Free President Drago Azinovich.

The creation of research and development innovation hub in Armenia was intended by the Memorandum. So with the signing of the Memorandums of Philip Morris Armenia with the two Armenian universities, the start of cooperation in the above mentioned directions has been given.

The signing ceremony has been attended by the Deputy Minister of Economic Development and Investments of RA Emil Tarasyan, YSU Rector Aram Simonyan, NPUA Rector Vostanik Marukhyan, General Manager of Phillip Morris Armenia Natalia Mayorova, Director of IBM Innovative Solutions and Technologies Center Bagrat Yengibaryan, etc.