USTDA GRANT SUPPORTS FIBER OPTIC BACKBONE NETWORK DEPLOYMENT IN AFGHANISTAN

KABUL, AFGHANISTAN (August 9, 2004) – Earlier today, the U.S. Trade and Development Agency (USTDA) awarded a $219,550 grant to the Ministry of Communications of Afghanistan to fund technical assistance related to the deployment of a fiber optic backbone network.  The grant was conferred during a signing ceremony at the U.S. Embassy in Kabul.  Deputy Chief of Mission at the U.S. Embassy Dick Christensen and Afghan Deputy Minister of Communications Hassam Baryali signed the grant agreement on behalf of the U.S. and Afghan Governments, respectively.

As conceived, the fiber optic ring would connect Afghanistan’s major cities of Kabul, Kandahar, Herat, Mazar e Sharif, and Baglan, paralleling the national roadway network wherever possible.  When complete, the 2,476 km fiber optic ring would be capable of serving as a telecommunications backbone for approximately 90% of Afghanistan’s population.  In addition to meeting pent-up demand for services, the development of core telecommunications infrastructure will lead to future investment opportunities related to the provision of modern communications services in Afghanistan.

The aim of the USTDA-funded technical assistance is to support the Ministry of Communications in refining the network specifications, securing financing, and managing the tendering process related to the project.  The contract to provide the technical assistance will be competed among interested U.S. firms via the Federal Business Opportunities website at www.eps.gov.