Emirates Telecommunications Company (Etisalat) said on Wednesday it commands a 24 per cent share of the mobile telephone market and revenues grew three-fold in 2009 in Afghanistan, one the most difficult markets.

Etisalat, which entered Afghanistan in 2007, has invested $300 million and employs some 10,000 Afghans, Saeed Al Hamili, chief executive of Etisalat Afghanistan said.

"We managed to attract nearly three million customers and control 24 percent market share in 27 provinces in Afghanistan. In 2009 our revenues have grown three times compared to 2008," he said in a statement.

"We will continue to reach more areas of Afghanistan and introduce more voice and data services," he said.

Currently, Etisalat's network has reached some 90 percent of Afghanistan, despite the security issues and geographical conditions," said Kheyal Mohammed, head of the telecommunications and information technology committee in the Afghan parliament. – Reuters