Within the past 4 years 11.7% average Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth is observed in Armenia. The small and medium business is accountable for 40% of the GDP, "these are many thousands of enterprising and energetic people," Armenian President Robert Kocharian stated in an interview with the Golos Armenii newspaper. In his words, 50 thousand enterprises are registered in the country, over 34 out of these operate and pay taxes. Over 1.5 thousand new firms were registered in 2004 only, R. Kocharian noted. As noted by the Armenian leader, owing to the high economic growth rate tens of thousands of new workplaces are annually created in Armenia. "Today we experience critical shortage of qualified workers on a whole range of professions. The issue of restoration of professional technical education is urgent for us. We are not in time for a range of branches of economy," R. Kocharian noted. Besides, the President noted that the information technology share in the GDP today makes 1.7%. "Ireland has the best indicator of 8% and we will work for it," R. Kocharian added. Answering a question that many projects of laying railways avoid Armenia, the Armenian President noted that "no rail project has passed us by yet." "The possible various building projects are considered. However the matter concerns the discussion and projects that demand huge expenses. The operating railways are linked with Armenia and do not demand capital spending. They are frozen due to political reasons and can really become working at any moment. It is an undoubted advantage when counting the economy of a project. There is no alternative to the Armenian railway when passing through the North-South corridor. Thus building of new ones has been actively spoken about. By the way, I do not see any tragedy in case these are built - our route will be competitive," R. Kocharian added.