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Afghan companies face many challenges using the Internet for marketing

Ways to improve online markets in the country have been discussed at a gathering of government officials and investors in the Afghan Capital Kabul, as many Afghan consumers complain about the high cost of Internet services which is hampering online business.  According to government statistics, at least 30% of Afghan people use internet services, but at a very high cost. “Everyone has become tired of letters and signatures, therefore we established an office under name of Asaan [Easy] through which we want to ease the administrative processes of our public services particularly for investors,” said the minister of communication and information technology. Participants at the event regarded media websites and other internet sites as the main tools for digital marketing. The deputy head of Afghanistan Chamber of Commerce and Industries (ACCI), Yunus Mohmand, said companies are faced with many challenges of using the internet for marketing. “The price for internet services is very high. Students contact us and say they need internet for their lessons, but they cannot afford it,” he said. Meanwhile, representatives of private banks said they are at the forefront of using internet for their marketing. “Customers can do their dealing by using their phones or computers. These plans ease the online dealing and it will improve the non-cash paying in Afghanistan,” said a representative of a private bank in Kabul. According to the Ministry of Communication and Information Technology, at least 8 million of Afghans have access to the internet provided by 6 telecommunications companies and 50 internet services companies. The minister of communication said at least 3 billion USD has been invested in the information technology and telecommunication. He said the amount will increase to 5 billion USD by 2020.