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U.S. AGENCY FOR INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT
PRESS RELEASE
WASHINGTON, DC 20523
PRESS OFFICE
http://www.usaid.gov
(202) 712-43202002-082
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 25, 2002Contact: USAID Press Office
WASHINGTON -- The U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) recently provided Afghanistan with an Internet Center, valued at $50,000. The Center, including 10 computer terminals with Internet connectivity, will enable Afghan business persons and traders to sell their products and services worldwide via e-commerce.
U.S. Ambassador Robert P. Finn and Afghanistan's Minister of Commerce, Sayed Mustafa Kazemi, co-signed the Internet Center agreement earlier this month at the Ministry of Commerce in Kabul. After the signing ceremony, Ambassador Finn told a group of domestic and foreign reporters that the grant was "a little step, but a very important step toward moving the country away from war." He noted that there is widespread interest in Afghanistan on the part of American investors and that he had received a number of inquiries. Finn said some deals in the telecommunications and hotel industries are nearing completion, and added that a group of investors from the United States is coming to Afghanistan soon to investigate the possibility of developing Afghanistan's oil and gas reserves. He cautioned, however, that improved security is necessary in order for businesses to flourish.
Afghan Commerce Minister Kazemi thanked the United States for the grant and said the Center would give both Afghan traders and dealers, as well as the Ministry itself, access to the Internet. He added that the services of the Center will be expanded throughout the country, and that Afghanistan's Commission on Private Investment is ready to approve legislation that would improve the investment climate in Afghanistan and ease requirements for Afghan businesses selling products and services abroad.
Minister Kazemi is in the United States July 24-25 for Georgetown University's Afghanistan-America Summit on Recovery and Reconstruction, in Washington, D.C. During the visit, he said he hopes to encourage greater ties between Afghan and U.S. businessmen, and to foster establishment of a sales distribution center in the U.S. for Afghan goods.
This Internet Center is just the latest example of U.S. aid to Afghanistan, where the United States has provided over $420 million in assistance since October 1, 2001. Afghanistan was the number one recipient of U.S. humanitarian assistance before September 11, and United States continues to lead the international community in efforts there today.
USAID is the government agency providing U.S. economic and humanitarian assistance worldwide for more than 40 years.
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