Question : EXPORT OPPORTUNITIES IN AFGHANISTAN

(a) whether in the aftermath of war against terrorism a lot of export opportunities are expected to arise in Afghanistan;

(b) if so, whether the Government geared to tap these opportunities for export of Indian goods / machinery / expertise and consultants;

(c) whether any contact have been made with UN Agencies for marketing the Indian goods;

(d) whether the Inter Agency Procurement Services Organisatioin of UNDP also been approached; and

(e) if so, the estimated extent order in which the Government expects to reap by way export to UN rehabilitation wars?

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY ( SHRI RAJIV PRATAP RUDY )

(a) : The reconstruction and rehabilitation efforts in Afghanistan are to commence once peace and stability is restored and the Interim Authority assumes office on 22nd December, 2001.

(b) to (e) : India has been associated with several international efforts aimed at reconstruction and rehabilitation in post conflict Afghanistan. To discuss the political and humanitarian situation in Afghanistan, India has participated in the meeting of United Nations sponsored Group of 21 countries in New York on 16th November and 6th December, 2001, senior officials meeting on Reconstruction Assistance to Afghanistan in Washington on 20th Nov., 2001 and United Nations Development Program sponsored conference in Islamabad on November 27-29, 2001.

India has also made bilateral contributions and commitments to the reconstruction and rehabilitation efforts in Afghanistan which include pledging humanitarian assistance of one million tonnes of wheat for internally and externally displaced Afghans and intention to offer a line of credit of US $ 100 million, once the situation in Afghanistan has stabilized.