United States Department of Commerce formally awarded the Peace Through Commerce Award for 2012 to 8 nominees following formal ceremony in Dubai.

Sadat Mansoor Naderi, the chairman of SMN Investmentsis the first and only Afghan business man who receives the peace through commerce award.

In an exclusive interview with Khaama Press (KP) Syed Sadat Mansoor Naderi said investment and creation of job opportunities is vital for the reduction of war, violence and to maintain stability in the country.

He said, “Investment and creation of job opportunities are effective to reduce violence and expand peace throughout the war-torn countries like Afghanistan. As you are aware over 60% of the Afghan population is comprised of Afghan youths who are in dire need employment opportunities after they complete their education. The youths will unfortunately prefer to participate in war activities if the government and private sector do not pave the way for job opportunities.”

Sadat Mansoor Naderi said he was optimistic regarding the 2014 and will expand SMN’s investment across the country despite majority of the Afghans are concerned and believe that 2014 will be a period of economic and political crisis for Afghanistan.

In regards to the 2014, Syed Sadat Mansoor Naderi said, “My views regarding 2014 is very optimistic and therefore we are working to expand our investments and will continue to grow in the future as well. For us 2014 is only a date.”

In the meantime Mr. Naderi said Afghan investors and traders are facing a number barriers including lack of security, standard transportation system and electricity in the country.

The Peace through Commerce Medal dates back to the first Secretary of State, Thomas Jefferson, who commissioned the medal in 1790. Jefferson gifted the medal, formerly known as the Diplomatic Medal, to foreign diplomats who aided the Continental Congress during the American Revolution. The medal is most renowned for its inscription, To Peace and Commerce, centered along the top.

SMN Investments is a privately held group of companies with a major market presence across various economic sectors in Afghanistan since 2000.

SMN believes in the strength of strategic alliances with select multinationals, key local enterprises and the Afghan government. The Group is committed to re-invest in select sectors and vertical and horizontal integration to capture more of the value chains in which it operates.

SMN has pioneered the insurance industry in Afghanistan and is the first fully licensed private insurance company. The company has secured over $20 Billion in reinsurance commitments from the London market and recently delivered coverage for Aynak Copper Mine ($3.6b investment).

Among the group’s principal capacities are:

• Insurance
• Mining
• Fuel Storage and Distribution
• Retail FMCG and Wholesale Consumer Warehousing
• Professional Services
• Transportation and Logistic Services
• Construction, Design and Engineering
• Automotive
• Security Services
• Telecom Services
• General Trading
• Manufacturing/Agriculture