1

The Beginning……

• Sumeer Bhasin - NRI Entrepreneur widely traveled and experienced with setting up and operating business globally with more than 2 decades of strong business ties and relationships with Afghans settled abroad especially in the US.

• First trip to Kabul in Aug 2002 on invitation of old time Afghan friends

• Signs of turmoil and destruction could be seen everywhere

• Opportunity for rebuilding a whole nation from the ground up in all sectors

• Warm welcome by old Afghan friends and business associates

2

Birth of Anaar Group• Decided to focus on service sector considering the

logistical constraints and the core competencies of India in the service sector

• Set up a consortium to provide technical services to donor funded projects incl. WB, ADB etc.

• No good restaurants serving Vegetarian Food

• Sensing Opportunity opened Anaar Restaurant in 2002

• Anaar Restaurant immediately became popular among the afghans and the large expat community

• Customers include UN, World Bank, Embassy of India, Norwegian Embassy, UK High Commission

• Organised and catered for several prestigious functions

Anaar Group was born….

“One of Kabul’s loveliest restaurants”- Lonely Planet – Central Asia 2004 Edition – Author’s Choice

4

AIR INDIA - GSA

• Sensing the huge untapped demand for air travel services by the

• Set up Anaar Travels in 2004

• Appointed GSA for Indian Airlines in early 2005

• Trained 20 local staff in all operational function incl. administration, sales, customer care, passenger handling, baggage handling, ground handling

• Qualified and experienced managerial staff for Sales and Operations from India

Indian Airlines in Kabul

Anaar Logistics – GSA for Deccan 360

• Launched scheduled Cargo Flight operations between Delhi –Kabul – Delhi from March 2010

• FCm Travel Solutions is a superior global force in strategic corporate travel and expense management.

• A worldwide team of market leaders delivering exceptional service, high-value solutions and measurable cost compression.

• Best rates of the day, unprecedented control of travel spend, online efficiencies, and 24/7 emergency assistance

Afghanistan

• Opportunity in Healthcare

• High regard for Indian doctors

• Set up operations for Max Healthcare in 2005

• Information and Facilitation centre to facilitate Afghan patient who need to come to India for specialized care.

• Cardiologist posted full time in Kabul

• Organized Health Camps in Afghanistan with free check ups & consultation with specialists from India

• We provide specialized services for evacuation by air in critical cases.

Anaar Consulting

• Anaar Consulting provides services covering areas such as media, legal, technical, financial , procurement , transport and logistics.

• We have a team of professional based in Kabul besides having a tie-up with well established professional companies in India who provide specialized support to undertake and provide services of specialists / consultants as per the requirements of the projects.

Event Management

• Organized Sham-e-Ghazal with ZEE Network where Jagjit Singh – Ghazal King performed for the first time in Kabul in March 2006

• Event was attended by over 3000 people who were enthralled by his performance in this unique largest indoor event of its kind in Kabul

• Historic concert as per Jagjit Singh himself who was deeply touched by the warmth, love and affection of the Afghan people

Historic Concert in Kabul

Jagjit Singh performing live in Kabul

Media

• Considering all the negative media reports about Afghanistan by the Indian Media focused on terrorism

• Zee TV Programme Full Circle, presented by Frieda Pinto, ( of Slumdog Millionaire fame) program exclusively designed for Asians in the Asia Pacific. Full Circle, showcases lifestyles, festivals, culinary skills, exotic locales.

• Organized Production of Full Circle Series on Afghanistan in Oct 2006 for ZEE NETWORK.

• Shot in locations in Kabul, Paghman, Panjsher Valley, Mazar-e-sharif

• Full Circle series on Afghanistan consisting of 4 episodes was telecast in 13 countries in Asia Pacific region and was re-telecast on popular demand from the viewers.

Advisor - AISA

• Advisor Afghanistan Investment Support Agency ( AISA) formed by Presidential Decree to Promote and facilitate private investment and trade in Afghanistan

• Accompanied H.E. Hamid Karzai, President of Afghanistan on State Visit to India in April 06 as part of his Business Delegation.

• Played Instrumental role in initiating MoUs between AISA and FICCI and CII

• Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industries ( FICCI)

• Organized several business conferences in India on behalf of AISA in partnership with CII and FICCI to promote Investment and Trade between India and Afghanistan

• Organized Trade Missions from Afghanistan to India and one to one meets between Indian and Afghan business leaders.

Promoting Investment in Afghanistan

• Business Delegate in European Road Show organized by AISA and German Chambers of Industries - Feb 2006.

• Represented Afghanistan in AISA North American Investment Promotion Road Show Oct. 29- Nov. 6, 2006;

• Participated in AACC/ AICC US-Afghan Business Matchmaking Conference 2006

• Participated in 2nd Regional Economic Conference on Afghanistan and organized the Business Conference on behalf of AISA in partnership with FICCI in Nov, 2006.

• Represented Afghanistan in April 2007 in the South Asia CEOs Conference organized by CII as part of the SAARC( South Asian Association For Regional Cooperation ) Summit.

Regional Integration

 

Afghan Delegation attending the South Asia CEO Roundtable (from left to right): Haifizi, Chairman, AICC; Dr. Farooqi, CEO, AICC; Ms. Kamela Sediqi, CEO, KBDS; Subodh Bhargava, Chairman of South Asia CEO Roundtable; Mahmood Kazrai, CEO, AIC and Sumeer Bhasin, Advisor, AISA.

Highlights

• Look not only at Afghanistan in isolation but also as a gateway to Central Asia.

• Innumerable Regional opportunities as Afghanistan is part of SAARC Region

• Large presence of Indians in Afghanistan in various sectors such as Telecom, Banking, construction,etc.

• Afghans are very supportive to India and Indians working in Afghanistan

• Close Cultural and Media ties

• Ease of setting up business - AISA

• 100 % Foreign Investment open in most sectors

• Huge opportunity for SMEs• Sectors – Trade, Agriculture , Healthcare, Media, Infrastructure, Technical Services,

Education, Transport & Logistics, Telecom, Banking , Mining, Energy, Hospitality, Aviation, Tourism

Conclusion

“ If you are an Entrepreneur with a vision of exploring untapped opportunities, Afghanistan is open for business”

His Excellency Hamed Karzai

President of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan