Afghanistan is Making History at CeBIT 2008

The war-torn country of Afghanistan is once again under focus but at this instance it is for the rapid growth of its information communication technology (ICT) sector instead of turbulence. Afghanistan made its first ever appearance this year in the largest technology exhibition CeBIT, held in Hanover, Germany, from March 4-9.

Heaving Afghanistan’s ICT profile will create many positive impacts such as contributing towards a sustainable economy, social rest, and educational progress.

The Afghan businesses participating in the event are receiving an awe-inspiring amount of encouragement from the global market with its interest. The National ICT Association of Afghanistan (NICTAA) was welcomed by investors in Germany and other countries, including Poland, Iran, India, Sri Lanka, UK, America, Greece and even Sudan. Companies such as Siemens, DBB, Docuware, AOT’s partner TST Biometrics, Microsoft Partner and IBM Business Partners have shown a keen interest in investing in the Afghan market. Afghan companies exhibiting at CeBIT 2008 under the umbrella of NICTAA are swept off their feet by the number of new deal negotiations and contracts they have to process each day since the beginning of the exhibition.

Afghanistan’s progress in the ICT sector in such a short time has stunned the world. Said Tayeb Jawad, Afghan Ambassador to the US said, “I remember a time when we couldn’t even connect a printer and today’s progress in such a short time proves how talented our people are. I was thrilled to hear the news and sent my congratulations and encouragement immediately to the team who made all this happen.”

It is as if CeBIT Germany was not enough, NICTAA has already started negotiations with Hanover Fairs International Turkey Office to become its official partner in Afghanistan for CeBIT Eurasia 2008. Omar Mansoor Ansari, President of NICTAA says, “The progress we made in these few days of our participation at the CeBIT 2008 is exciting. I am thrilled by my team’s performance and the hard work of our talented business leaders and entrepreneurs. Their speed of establishing business relationships with the overseas industry players is remarkable. This simply makes me proud!” Afghanistan’s participation in CeBIT 2008 was made possible by the National ICT Association of Afghanistan (NICTAA) and USAID’s Afghanistan Small and Medium Enterprise Development (ASMED) project for its sponsorship.