PTI
03/10/2004
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Dubai - Dubai-based Indian construction major Dodsal, today signed a landmark USD 230 million contract in Afghanistan to create a state-of-the-art petroleum infrastructure involving more than 700 outlets and related accessories.

"Dodsal won the contract beating off competition from six other global competitors," Rajen A Kilachand, Chairman and President of the USD 400 million annual turn-over Dodsal group, said here on his return from Kabul where he signed the agreement with Afghanistan Minister of Commerce Syed Mustafa Kazemi.

The 49-year concession, of which USD 65 million will be invested in the next 24 months, will be executed by the Dodsal subsidiary, International Petroleum and Trading (IPT) based in Jebel Ali, Dubai, which has the rights for import, storage, supply and distribution and sale of petroleum products in Afghanistan.

With this, Dodsal becomes the second Indian company to enter the petroleum distribution business abroad. Indian Oil had won a similar contract in Sri Lanka some time ago.

Kilachand said the retail outlets will meet international norms and have repair and maintenance facilities for vehicles, mini convenience stores selling pharmaceutical items and household goods in order to meet the growing basic demands of common people across the country. The Dodsal brand will be named IP (International Petroleum).

"However, we have decided not to own the outlets which will be given to local Afghan Youths who will run them for a livelihood," he said.

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