"Going Long" on Afghanistan at Film Annex
In Wall Street terms, purchasing an investment, usually means buying a futures contract or 
stock. Long refers to buying in contrast to short, which means to sell.
In terms of building business opportunities, Film Annex is "Going Long" on Afghanistan by investing in educational system. Susan McPherson wrote an article this week in the Harvard Business Review titled:
Women Entrepreneurs for Peace in Afghanistan
She states:
As Afghan-U.S. relations continue to deteriorate, it's hard to imagine that the two nations can find political common ground. But the language of business is a common one. Stronger business (coupled with innovation) is a powerful driver for peace.
For Afghanistan, female entrepreneurs may be critical to drive this peaceful future. In a study recently conducted by the Peace Dividend Trust (PDT), which works with Afghan entrepreneurs to match them to local market opportunities, out of the 7,000 Afghan companies in its national database only 242 are owned by women. However, three to five new women-owned ventures join its registry each month. According to PDT's Executive Director, Scott Gilmore, "The untold story in Afghanistan is the rise of female entrepreneurs. They are turning into a powerful force for growth and stability."
But small business owners — especially women — are vulnerable in war-torn Afghanistan, and need nonprofits and other outside organizations to help them survive and thrive. For example, the Business Council for Peace (Bpeace) consults "Fast Runners," or high-potential small-business owners in sectors ripe for growth in not only Afghanistan, but also Rwanda and El Salvador.
The average income in Afghanistan is $1000 today, and with a $15,000 investment by Film Annex, we bring the Internet to 4000 kids! Our investment will increase their potential salaries to from $0.50 to $3.80 per hour, which is 8 times the national income level on an annual basis.
This potentially lifts the Afghan income potential to Indian standards and with it comes to opportunities for exponential returns for Film Annex, our Afghan partners, and the Veteran businesses that we are fostering.
Francesco Rulli states:
"By 2014, when the US troops leave, Afghanistan will be fully connected to the global community through their fast growing digital industry. If you do not take part in this amazing opportunity, it's your loss. We are there! Leaving Afghanistan is bad business."
Please see our efforts in Afghanistan at:
Afghanistan
Film Annex Troop Support