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United States Marine Corps (USMC) Afghan Business Conference (ABC2)
Lashkar Gah, Helmand Province, Afghanistan
January 2009

The United States Marine Corps’ (USMC) first Afghan Business Conference (ABC1), was held in October 2009, in Lashkar Gah, Helmand and led to over $900,000 USD in contracts being awarded to Afghan companies within the following week. ABC1’s success shows that other international military forces and organizations can also benefit from similar business matchmaking and networking events.

In January 2010, the Helmand ABC2 Conference [jointly sponsored by the Helmand Provincial Reconstruction Team and Task Force Helmand and supported by Peace Dividend Trust-Afghanistan (PDT-A)], was held at the provincial governor’s shura hall. The shura hall was recently refurbished thanks to the award of a contract from the USMC Civil Affairs team to a local Afghan contractor. The event was fully supported by Helmand Provincial Governor Gulab Mangal and allowed for further promotion of ISAF’s Afghan First Policy (A1P).
For more details read here.

Business Council for Peace (Bpeace) Race to Innovation. 6 Finalists Announced. 
Kabul, Afghanistan
November 2009
PDT’s partner Bpeace, a non-profit international volunteer network of business professionals seeking to increase economic activity and employment in countries emerging from war, announced the 6 finalists of its nationwide business competition on 23rd November. The 6 finalists (2 male, 4 female), will each receive $10,000 of pro-bono business consulting, access to capital, and other start-up assistance as a means of transforming their business ideas into reality. For more details read the Press Release here.

United States Marine Corps (USMC) Afghan Business Conference (ABC1)
Lashkar Gah, Helmand Province, Afghanistan
October 2009

As part of its "Afghan First" procurement policy, the United States Marine Corps wanted to engage with Afghan businesses to support operations and advance strategic goals in Helmand, Farah and Nimroz provinces. With support from PDT, one of the few NGOs operating in the area, the USMC organized a conference in the Helmand governor’s compound. 118 businesses participated and over 170 guests attended the largest business registration event ever held in southern Afghanistan.

As a direct result of the conference, nearly $900,000 USD in contracts was awarded to Afghan companies within a week. Several more contract awards are pending, with solicitations for construction supplies, transport services, electrical grid installation and humanitarian aid items.

The Commanding General of the Marine Expeditionary Brigade thanked PDT for our efforts in making this conference a success and will carry out at least one more conference by January 2010.

Business Council for Peace (Bpeace) Race to Innovation
Kabul, Afghanistan
Summer/Fall 2009
PDT is partnering with Bpeace, a non-profit international volunteer network of business professionals seeking to increase economic activity and employment in countries emerging from war, in a nationwide business competition inviting the most talented entrepreneurs in Afghanistan. Contestants will submit business proposals and the winners will receive pro-bono business consulting, access to capital, and other start-up assistance as a means of transforming their business ideas into reality. Applicants will be judged on business viability, innovativeness, and community impact. Press Release and FAQs (Dari, English)