Held It First Annual Gathering in Dubai

Dubai, United Arab Emirates, March 3, 2010 (ME NewsWire): Etisalat Afghanistan held its first annual gathering in Dubai. Present at the event was Etisalat chairman Mohammad Omran and members of Etisalat's senior management. Also present were Mr. Saeed Al Hamli CEO of Etisalat Afghanistan and Afghan Minister of Finance, the Chief of Telecommunications and Information Technology in the Afghan parliament and a large number of Afghan businessmen residing in based in UAE and Afghanistan.

Mohammed Omran addressed the gathering calling Etisalat's decision to go to Afghanistan in 2007 as important and strategic as Etisalat vision is always to enter countries and stay. "Once we enter a market, we believe in offering continuous support for that market by investing in new technologies and infrastructure with the aim of deriving incremental gains over the life of our license" said Mohammad Omran

"When we decided to invest in the telecommunications sector of Afghanistan, we were aware of the scale of the challenges and the opportunities that lie ahead , and it was the right decision to make. We are proud of the of Etisalat Afghanistan's achievements that have been accomplished  in such a short period of time and look forward to offering more services to the Afghan  people and to supporting this country as best way we can". He added:

Meanwhile Mr. Saeed Al Hamili, CEO of Etisalat Afghanistan said: "Etisalat Afghanistan has achieved a number of milestones during three years of hard work. We managed to attract nearly three million customers and control 24% market share in 27 provinces in Afghanistan. In 2009 our revenues have grown three times compared to 2008. "

"We have invested directly or indirectly 300 million dollars in Afghanistan and around 10,000 Afghans are supported by us and our distribution partners.  We will continue to reach more areas of Afghanistan and introduce more voice and data services" He added

On his part Mr. Kheyal Mohammed, head of the telecommunications and information technology committee in the Afghan parliament, said: "The telecommunications sector of Afghanistan needed a strong player such as Etisalat. Etisalat Afghanistan has been worthy of our confidence. We believe the companys' growth of is very aggressive. Etisalat has managed to accomplish in a short period of time what took other operators years to achieve. Now we see that the company's network has reached approximately 90% Afghanistan, despite the security issues and geographical conditions". He added that the Afghan Parliament is pleased of investments made by Etisalat in the telecommunications sector and the of 24 hours customer service".

Mohammad Sharif Ahmadza, Vice president of Afghan Investment Support  Agency- AISA said: "Etisalat plays an important role in the investment sector of Afghanistan. Etisalat part in this scenario is quite amazing and the number of subscribers is showing its strength in Afghanistan telecom market. No doubt that witnessing the achievements of the company through this annual gathering makes you proud of Etisalat Afghanistan. On behalf of the Agency I would like to congratulate Etisalat Afghanistan for its success. "

Ahmadza commended the important contribution made by Etisalat Afghanistan to the  Afghan community through various initiatives such as food distribution and support for the team to the Cricket. He also highlighted the role the Etisalat Academy in training Afghan staff.

Haji Mohammad Afghan, a member of the Afghan Business Council in the UAE, said: "Etisalat Afghanistan offers important services and value to the Afghan people. The company has made meaningful contributions in all aspects of Afghan life. The company has an unforgettable touch in the hearts of the Afghan people."

-Ends-

Source : ME NewsWire

© Press Release 2010