The Private Sector as a Catalyst for Change: Potential Roles of Businesses in Challenging Environments
VIEW EVENT DETAILSJoin Altaf Ladak, COO, Roshan (Telecom Development Company Afghanistan Ltd.), Afghanistan's leading telecom operator
From poor infrastructure and low literacy to an unstable security environment, Roshan, Afghanistan's leading telecommunications provider, has contended with significant obstacles as it works to contribute to the country's socio-economic development. Drawing from these lessons, Altaf Ladak will discuss the important role that the private sector can play as a catalyst for change in challenging environments.
Roshan, which means "light" and "hope," in Dari and Pashto, has over 4.2 million active subscribers across all of Afghanistan's provinces. It directly employs over 1,200 people and provides indirect employment to more than 30,000 people. It began operations in 2003 in an environment where there was virtually no telecommunications infrastructure. Basic telecommunications was prohibitively expensive and practically inaccessible. Since its inception, Roshan has invested over $450 million in Afghanistan and is the largest taxpayer, contributing approximately 5% of the Afghan government's overall domestic revenue. The company aims to be a driver in the reconstruction of Afghanistan by facilitating communication in rural areas, creating jobs, and investing in local communities.
RSVP:
[email protected]
This event is a part of the Asia Society Richard Holbrooke Programmes
Asia Society Richard Holbrooke Programmes are dedicated to the memory Richard Holbrooke, former Chairman of Asia Society and one of America's most distinguished diplomats. Ambassador Holbrooke joined Asia Society in 2002 and left the Chair in 2009 to join President Barack Obama's Administration as US Special Envoy to Afghanistan and Pakistan. The Holbrooke Programmes probe pressing issues across Afghanistan and Pakistan, carrying forward Ambassador Holbrooke's legacy of working towards the development and improved understanding of the region.
Outreach Partners: AIAI and Word Trade Centre, Mumbai
From poor infrastructure and low literacy to an unstable security environment, Roshan, Afghanistan's leading telecommunications provider, has contended with significant obstacles as it works to contribute to the country's socio-economic development. Drawing from these lessons, Altaf Ladak will discuss the important role that the private sector can play as a catalyst for change in challenging environments.
Roshan, which means "light" and "hope," in Dari and Pashto, has over 4.2 million active subscribers across all of Afghanistan's provinces. It directly employs over 1,200 people and provides indirect employment to more than 30,000 people. It began operations in 2003 in an environment where there was virtually no telecommunications infrastructure. Basic telecommunications was prohibitively expensive and practically inaccessible. Since its inception, Roshan has invested over $450 million in Afghanistan and is the largest taxpayer, contributing approximately 5% of the Afghan government's overall domestic revenue. The company aims to be a driver in the reconstruction of Afghanistan by facilitating communication in rural areas, creating jobs, and investing in local communities.
RSVP:
[email protected]
This event is a part of the Asia Society Richard Holbrooke Programmes
Asia Society Richard Holbrooke Programmes are dedicated to the memory Richard Holbrooke, former Chairman of Asia Society and one of America's most distinguished diplomats. Ambassador Holbrooke joined Asia Society in 2002 and left the Chair in 2009 to join President Barack Obama's Administration as US Special Envoy to Afghanistan and Pakistan. The Holbrooke Programmes probe pressing issues across Afghanistan and Pakistan, carrying forward Ambassador Holbrooke's legacy of working towards the development and improved understanding of the region.
Outreach Partners: AIAI and Word Trade Centre, Mumbai
Event Details
Tue 01 Feb 2011
Forum Room, Taj President Hotel, Cuffe Parade, Mumbai Mumbai
Asia Society members: free; non-members: Rs. 200