Iran Daily05/14/2006By [Printer Friendly Version]
TEHRAN - Telecoms network in western Afghanistan has been linked to the international system through a 150-kilometer fiber optic line created by an Iranian company.According to Fars news agency, Nasser Yousef-Pour, managing director of Communications Infrastructure Company, said that the giant project went on stream on Sunday.He said the funds were supplied from Iran’s financial assistance to the war-torn country, stressing that the project was launched in 2004 in the western Afghan city of Herat.Iran is among the top three exporters of goods and services to Afghanistan.Farshid Manouchehri, executive manager of the Joint Chamber of Commerce, believes that Iran has so far performed very well in the Afghan market, but it needs to plan for a long-term presence in the war-ravaged country, which is striving for development.He said Afghanistan is a major consumer market at present, whereas the country is now trying to turn into a producer.“Iran’s exports to Afghanistan reached $300 million during March-November 2005,“ he said, adding that Iran exported mainly foodstuff and home appliances to the war-torn country.Once Afghanistan develops its industrial capacity to produce such goods, it will no longer need to import these goods from Iran, he pointed out.