PMI Science will establish a multifunctional research center in Armenia’s Engineering City, becoming the hub’s first international resident. The center will feature state-of-the-art laboratories and production capabilities focused on electronics, material science, aerosol research, and prototype development.
The announcement was made on July 8 during a memorandum of understanding (MoU) signing ceremony attended by Minister of High-Tech Industry of Armenia Mkhitar Hayrapetyan. The MoU was signed between Philip Morris Armenia, the Enterprise Incubator Foundation, and the Engineering Association. It marks a strategic step toward expanding Armenia’s innovation landscape and strengthening its research and development ecosystem.
The new R&D center will be located in Engineering City’s business accelerator building, where PMI Science will not only lease space but also contribute directly to the development of scientific infrastructure.
In his remarks at the event, Minister Hayrapetyan highlighted the significance of the initiative and emphasized the importance of public-private collaboration in driving scientific and technological progress.
“Each company involved in Engineering City benefits from an environment that fosters interdisciplinary research, experience sharing, and cooperation,” he said.
He also noted that it is the strategic goal of the Ministry and the Armenian government to transform the country into a key R&D center not just in the region, but globally. The signing of the memorandum, he said, is a step toward achieving this vision, opening new pathways for knowledge generation and innovation.
The upcoming research center will introduce next-generation equipment that will significantly expand production and experimental capabilities — laying the groundwork for cutting-edge innovation and expanded scientific cooperation.
The event also featured a ceremonial awarding of funding certificates under the PMI Science Faculty Research Program 2025. Minister Hayrapetyan and Luca Rossi, PMI Science Vice President of Technology and Research, presented $15,000 grants to representatives of Armenian universities and research institutions. These grants are aimed at supporting the development of new ideas and the implementation of research projects across the country.
