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?

-sadiq@khaleejtimes.com