AFGHANISTAN

STATEMENT BY His Excellency MR. AMIRZAI SANGIN
Minister of COMMUNICATIONs

Honorable Chairman,
Excellencies,
Respected Delegates,
Ladies and Gentlemen;

First of all, let me thank the Republic of Turkey for hosting the ITU Plenipotentiary conference 2006. I congratulate the organizers for the excellent arrangements they have made for this important summit in the beautiful Antalya.

During 25 years of war, the people of Afghanistan have suffered some of the most horrific and appalling circumstances the modern world has witnessed. Massive devastation has caused turmoil and chaos in the life of 2 whole generations of Afghans.

During these same 25 years, while the world witnessed digitalization, arrival of mobile communications and Internet, the Afghans were witnessing war, isolation and talibanisation. As a result, the people of Afghanistan remain as one of the most affected by the digital gap.

Our new constitution and our national elections for President and Parliament are the cornerstones of our efforts to rebuild a democratic state with effective national institutions. The new Constitution, one of the most enlightened in the region, is a balanced charter that guarantees equal rights and full participation to the people of Afghanistan in all spheres of life.

The people of Afghanistan have put their trust in the international community and recognize its role in the establishment of a stable, democratic Afghanistan. Afghans recognize the benefits of this relationship and are grateful for the international security and economic support we have received over the last four years

The Afghan economy is well on its way to sustained growth and development. Over the last 4 years, the average real GDP growth has been 16.6%. Per capita income has grown from US$182 in 2002 to US$354 in 2006. There are now 14 licensed domestic and international banks.

The biggest success has been in the Telecom and ICT sector. In 2002, there were almost no telecommunications and ICT in Afghanistan. Our people had to go the neighboring countries to make or receive a phone call.

Based on our policy of creating a market environment that encouraged private investment, today there are 4 major telecom operators providing fixed and mobile phone services. A 5th operator is expected to enter the market in the next 3 months. There are over 15 Internet Service Providers offering Internet services across the country.

So far the operators have invested over US$ 600 million and this amount is expected to double in next 3 years. This investment has resulted in over 40,000 direct and indirect jobs in the telecom sector.

Over 150 major populated areas of the country have come under the coverage of telecom services and this amounts to 70% of the population and we expect that the coverage will expand to 90% of the population in next 3 years.

There are now total of over 2 million phone users in Afghanistan which is equivalent to 8% penetration and is expected to grow to over 5 million in next 3 years.

The use of Internet is spreading very fast. Today, most government offices across the country are interconnected in a so called Government Communications Network with phone, Internet and Video Conferencing services.

We have initialized the installation of a national optical fiber backbone ring across the country, with links to our neighbors Iran, Pakistan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan. The project has started and will be completed in next 2 years. Our optical fiber backbone ring will connect the Trans-Europe-Asia backbone in the north with the Submarine fiber in the south and emerge as the center-stage for a digital silk road.

Our achievements have been recognized internationally. We are very proud to have received the Visionary of the Year Award 2006 from the Intelligent Community Forum of USA.

The World Bank also made a film about the development of the Telecom sector of Afghanistan which was shown in Bonn in May 2006 in a PPAIF conference as an example of best global practices.

Afghanistan has regained its place as an important member of the international community. Afghanistan has been an active member of the ITU and we are fully committed to take active role in the activities of the ITU and we assure the ITU of our full support in the implementation of its policies.

Thank you.