For a better tomorrow

Set up with an aim to offer investment opportunities in developing countries, Tanweer Investments has now diversified globally

Tanweer Investments was set up with the aim of its founders to offer investment opportunities in developing countries. Initially focused on governmental projects and services, Tanweer Investments soon saw the need to make its consummate and unrivalled services available to various sectors of business and resultantly began to pursue corporate-based investments, notably real estate and property management, equity management and worldwide goods trading. The move, based on Tanweer acknowledging initiatives globally, was signified by the synchronised opening of further offices in Geneva, Abu Dhabi and Dubai.

Today, with its headquarters situated in London, Tanweer Investments operates in over four continents with acquisitions, investments and corporate ventures in many nations including the UAE, Egypt, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Australia, UK and Germany. While continuing with government related projects - for which it was initially set up - Tanweer Investments has diversified into sectors, such as Energy and Irrigation, Agriculture and Provisions, Logistics and Security.

Analysts connect Tanweer Investment's rapid and continual success to its unrelenting diligence, ability to identify and pursue investor opportunities and the financial and political backing to sustain such investments/projects.

However it is the catalytic role of Tanweer Investments' main goal of ensuring that its investors receive the most conclusive and earnest advice to ensure the highest returns on their capital that makes them tick. Excerpts of an interview with Dawood Jabarkhyl, Chairman, Tanweer Investments:

What is the Tanweer Investments' main vision?

Our vision is to obstinately strive to create a new benchmark in today's markets through which customer service is measured. At Tanweer Investments we foster an authentic and indispensable sense of care and concern for both the safety and growth of each of our clients' investments.

What makes Tanweer Investments different from other Afghan businesses?

Our belief is to support projects, which create jobs and promote the exportation of Afghan products worldwide. We are committed to invest in areas that will have a positive impact on society and further advance the social economic conditions in Afghanistan.

It is our view that strategically placed investments, which make use of traditional expertise, will be profitable and will provide employment for the women across under-privileged parts of Afghanistan where there is a great lack of suitable industry.

Why does Afghanistan matter right now?

Afghanistan sits on, potentially, the richest mining region on earth with untapped resources such as gold, copper, iron, lithium, uranium and precious/semi-precious stones. Yet, in reality, it remains one of the least developed countries in the world, constantly ranking amongst the last few in UN's Human Development Index.

Afghanistan's economy is recovering from decades of conflict. The economy has improved significantly since the fall of the Taliban regime in 2001, largely because of the infusion of international assistance, the recovery of the agricultural sector, and service sector growth. There remains a huge potential for investment in Afghanistan in sectors such as agriculture, energy, mining, irrigation, aviation, and many other sectors.

Tell us more about your partnership with Fatima Bint Mohamed Bin Zayed initiative?

By partnering with Tanweer Investments together Shaikha Fatima Bint

Mohamed Bin Zayed created sustainable development by empowering women. The Initiative provides women with employment in the carpet production process, an industry they already possess skills in. It also offers them and their families critical social services in healthcare and education. The result is a holistic effort whose benefits are seen not only in fruitful employment, but also in healthier and happier families and communities.

Talk a little bit about the products and the quality standards at FBMI.

The carpets reflect the heritage of cottage-based craftsmanship passed through generations of families. A majority of carpets produced by the initiative are made from indigenous Afghan wool purchased from nomads that is then hand-spun to add to the quality. Out of over 900 breeds of sheep, only a select few qualify to meet the quality requirements of the wool used in the production of fine carpets. Only the best section of the sheep's fleece is used for each carpet. The finest quality wool used by the initiative ensures the carpets pile strength, sheen, smoothness and durability. The initiative also produces carpets that are a combination of wool and silk. All carpets are woven using a cotton foundation to ensure strength, reduce shrinkage and guarantee the rug will keep its shape.

Local university students who are supervised by Afghanistan's most famous carpet designer design the carpets. Designs are both contemporary and dated using antique motifs from carpets that are centuries old. Full-scale graph paper is used, which indicates to the weaver the colour for each knot. Every knot is represented by a tiny square similar to pixels. Another key determinant of the fineness of a carpet is the number of knots; the more intricate and finer the knotting, the higher the quality of the carpet. The initiative further works to tackle environmental degradation through the use of natural vegetable dyes and traditional washing methods; thus ensuring no environmental damage to the Kabul River, which runs into Pakistan and eventually joins the Indus.

How does the initiative benefit the Afghan economy?

A fundamental tenet of FBMI is to be commercially viable and sustainable in the long term. In order to achieve this, it operates a local value chain entirely within Afghanistan; buying local wool to support farmers, using natural vegetable dyes in the spinning operations, and producing finished carpets for export to world markets. Handmade carpet exports were shifted to Pakistan during the years of unrest in Afghanistan, but FBMI only exports its products from Afghanistan to benefit the Afghan economy. FBMI directly impacts 5,000 Afghans and indirectly benefits over 18,000 Afghans across the country, mainly in the rural areas.

Tell us more about your artisans?

Capacity building is one of the most important factors we focus on with our artisans. Along the FBMI value-chain we employ wool-collectors, wool-spinners, weavers, up until the retail staff who are in charge of getting the product to the end-user. At FBMI, we support our artisans with capacity-building and adequate training in order to allow them to progress from wool-spinners to weavers and so on, overall increasing their wage band.

A visible example of our support for our artisans is our Artists for Change programme, which aims to raise awareness of the plight of disadvantaged artisans as well as promote their talent and capabilities. Six famous Emirati artists are invited to be a part of the Artists for Change programme graciously donating their artworks to be woven into hand-knotted carpets. Not only will these artworks provide employment to the artisans, but also offer a range of social benefits as provided by FBMI.

FBMI sees these artists as visionaries and storytellers that will better impact the lives of others. The woven carpets will then be exhibited across some of the world's leading museums and art institutions, as well as upcoming regional design weeks.

How does the retail side of the initiative work?

The FBMI business model uses the retail arm of the initiative as a key pillar to support the production and social services. FBMI currently has retail outlets in Dubai, Abu Dhabi, London and look to expand to New York in the coming year. These stores focus on creating a market for FBMI products to ensure sustainability in the long run.

In addition, FBMI often participates in exhibitions worldwide such as Abu Dhabi Art, Dubai Design Days, Domotex and more. FBMI aim to use the exhibitions as a physical platform and forum for the community to create programming, partnership outreach and a public action component helping bridge international talent. FBMI will be opening its newest Dubai showroom in Dubai Design District by the end of October.

How has the initiative helped the UAE-Afghan friendly relationship?

The FBMI project has been a great success in terms of fostering UAE-Afghan relations. It is regularly mentioned by dignitaries from both sides, as an example of bilateral success, as well as an indication of the generosity of the Emirati people and the longstanding ties between our people.

FBMI carpets currently furnish the presidential palaces of the UAE and Afghanistan and UAE embassies abroad. Furthermore FBMI products are used by Ministry of Foreign Affairs - UAE as gifts to high-level dignitaries such as Nicolas Sarkozy, Barack Obama, Bill Gates and many others.

Share with us your vision for the next decade.

I truly believe that the best way to combat the issues Afghanistan faces is through offering viable, legitimate and respectable forms of employment. Afghan people are proud and talented and would always choose to earn a living. We've seen first-hand through our groundbreaking project, that Afghans can respond and produce extraordinary labour when given the right opportunities.

I'm sure you are fully aware of the great dangers that Afghanistan faces on a daily basis. Yet, it is with a personal adoration with which FBMI have set up and stayed in Afghanistan, primarily in order to help the poor people, who have suffered so much in recent decades. Considering these positive changes brought about by Tanweer Investments' projects, our vision is to spread the benefits of our sustainable business models across communities in Afghanistan and offer attractive returns on investments to our investors.

-sadiq@khaleejtimes.com

• WORLD