Professional Profile
Kamila Sidiqi is a leading female activist in Afghanistan who has worked in leadership roles in various sectors. Currently, she is the CEO of Kaweyan Group of Companies. Prior to this she served the Government of Islamic Republic of Afghanistan as Deputy Minister for Trade Affairs at the Ministry of Industries and Commerce and as the Deputy Chief of Staff for Admin and Finance in the Administrative Office of President. She is also actively engaged in supporting women associations and organizations across Afghanistan like Afghanistan Women's Chambers of Commerce and Industry (formerly know as LEAD: Leading Entrepreneurs of Afghanistan for Development) and was the member of the High Level Advisory Committee for PROMOTE as well as the Steering Committee for Capacity Building for Reform (CBR) project.
Kamila Sidiqi has the distinct recognition of being an initiator of private sector reforms and has taken the lead in launching innovative business ideas in Afghanistan. She is the architect of Kaweyan Business Development Services is a consulting firm she started in 2004 with only her computer and her determination. KBDS has implemented over 50 development projects in Afghanistan and reached out to over 10,000 individuals most of them women and assisted them in achieving financial sustainability through business and entrepreneurship. KBDS is at the forefront of Kaweyan Group of Companies which comprises of Naweyan Nawed Limited (specializing in exporting dry fruits), Kaweyan Cabs (Afghanistan's first female owned taxi company and initiator of Pink Service for women customers in Afghanistan), Kaweyan Petroleum and www.kaweyanjobs.com. Through her various businesses, Ms. Sidiqi has also been actively involved in supporting other women entrepreneurs to develop the necessary skills and business acumen to manage their work successfully. She has been a life time activist for women rights and has actively worked for EVAW in Afghanistan through her NGO Parneyan Training Center and Rehabilitation Organization.
She started her first venture a tailoring business to support her family during Taliban rule. In the end, it provided work for more than 100 poor women of the neighborhood and laid the foundation for her future welfare and entrepreneurial work in Afghanistan.
In February 2017, Ms. Sidiqi represented Afghanistan as a key speaker in the AFPAK Partnership Summit: Workable Solutions in a New Era which was held in Mali. In 2015 Ms. Kamila was a keynote speaker at The Economist’s World in 2016 event in Hong Kong and Singapore and also at the Pilosio’s Building Peace Award in Italy.
In 2014, Ms. Kamila was a guest speaker at the Power of Empowered Women Event organized by the UN in Geneva. She also represented Afghanistan in the Regional Policy Dialogue on Central Asia's Regional Challenges organized in Turkey by the Hollings Center. She has represented Afghanistan's women entrepreneurs in several B2B conferences organized in India, Tajikistan and is a part of the Steering Committee of the South Asia Women Entrepreneurs Symposium (SAWES).
The Dressmaker of KhairKhana which is a book on the life and achievement of Ms. Sidiqi has received international acclaim and recognition and was a New York Times Best Seller in 2012. It was a part of the Common Reading Program at University of Florida for the class of 2016.
Ms. Kamila has been recognized as a Peace Hero in Afghanistanin 2014 by Modern Organization for Education and Development. She was also part of The International Alliance of Women World of Difference awardees in 2014.
Education
Graduated with Bachelors in Economics from Maiwand University.
Graduated with Bachelors from Syed Jamaluddin Teacher Training Institute Afghanistan in 1996.
Graduated from “Business Peace Mentorship & Entrepreneurship Program”in2005-2007, organized by American Women Business Peace Council, in Kabul, Afghanistan.
Certificate of Completion of one month “International Visitor Leadership Program of the United States Department of State” on entrepreneurship for women on April 22, 2005, a regional project for South of Asia, Washington DC, New York, Memphis, San Diego, New Orleans, USA.
Certificate of Completion of two weeks Professional “Project Artemis Entrepreneurial Program”from January 10-21, 2005 in Thunderbird Management School, Glendale, Arizona, USA
Certificate of Completion of two weeks training on “Entrepreneurship Development and Handicraft for Women in Afghanistan, a Training of Trainers” from November 24 to December 10, 2003, supported by the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, in Turin, Italy.
Certificate of Completion of two weeks training on “TOT on Entrepreneurship Development for Semi & Non-literates”, on September 8-22, 2003, organized by Care International & conducted by TARANGO Bangladesh in Kabul, Afghanistan.
Certifications
“Corporate Social Responsibilities (CSR) Training of Trainers” on February 23-27, 2010 by IBLF in Istanbul, Turkey.
Ten days training on “Training of Trainers in Microfinance Training” in August 2009, under MISFA capacity Building Program, provided by Friends Consulting group of Uganda, supported by MISFA, Kabul, Afghanistan.
“Business Edge Training of Trainers (TOT) Workshop” on June 10-13, 2009 provided by International Finance Corporation (IFC) in Kabul, Afghanistan.
“Mass Mobilization into Entrepreneurship” on May 7-11, 2007 at Kancheepuram, Tamilnadu, India.
“Tracking your Finances, Training of Trainers (TOT) Program” on July 9-11, 2006, organized by BPeace, CIPE, AWBF’s and USAID in Kabul, Afghanistan.
“Writing a Business Plan, Training of Trainers (TOT) Program” on July 9-11, 2006, organized by BPeace, CIPE, AWBF’s and USAID in Kabul, Afghanistan.
“Practical Business Skills Training” on December 7-11, 2005, conducted by OTF Group with the support of USAID in Kabul, Afghanistan.
“Exposure & Training Programme” held on February 17-21, 2004, organized by SEWA Trade Facilitation Center, Ahmadabad for Afghanistan NGO with the help of World Bank Institute.
“Training of Trainers (TOT) course on Advanced CEFE Based Business Planning” on January 25-30, 2004 conducted by TARANGO Bangladesh by the support of IRC in Kabul, Afghanistan.
“Capacity Building for Better Implementation of Microfinance in Afghanistan” on December 11-19, 2003, supported by Belgian Federal Government, in Turan, Italy.
“Business Start-up Course” from June 21 to July 02, 2003 organized by Association of Experts in the fields of Migration and Development Cooperation (AGEF) in Kabul, Afghanistan.
“Women Training Support Project” in May 2003, conducted by Afghan Women’s Organization & supported by Canadian International Development Agency in Kabul, Afghanistan.
Awards
Awarded at the“US Global Leadership Campaigns 10th Anniversary Gala Dinner”by Secretary Condoleezza Rice, USA in 2005.
Nominated by the Women Entrepreneurs as the “Best Women Entrepreneur of 2007” in the Business Peace Mentorship & Entrepreneurship Program” and invited as a special guest for the second session of Afghan Women Entrepreneurship Program in Dubai, organized by American Women Business Peace Council, in Kabul, Afghanistan.
Deputy Minister for Trade Affairs and Acting Deputy Minister for Admin and Finance, Ministry of Commerce and Industries -June 2017-March 2019
Strategic leadership of Deputy Ministry for Trade Affairs.
Promoting investment and exports of Afghanistan.
Representing Ministry of Commerce in national and international events and enhancing partnerships.
Improving bilateral and multilateral trade relations with counterpart nations.
Leading Afghanistan’s fulfillment of WTO commitments.
Strategic overview and leadership of transit affairs.
Strategic overview and leadership of international trade.
Leadership development project for strengthening of private sector
Improving donor ties and communications.
Acting as Minister of Commerce and Industries on occasions when His Excellency Minister is out of the country
Representing MoCI in High Economic Council, Parliament, PRiSEC, Jirga and other Council as and when required.
Founder and CEO, Kaweyan Business Development Services Projects Implemented through KBDS- (2004-2014): 2012- 2014
Implemented Project for Business Plan Writing training and development for 30 private sector company in Kabul, Herat and Mazar e Sharif funded by ABADE organization
Project Manager for USAID/ AWDP funded Short Term Training for Women In Private Sector in Kabul
Project Manager for Short Term Training in Project Management in Jalalabad funded by USAID-AWDP
Conducted “Capacity Development, Management and Administration Training for EVAW Commission Member in three (3) provinces i.e. Sar-e-pul, Kapisa and Laghman supported by UN-Women.
Conducted Capacity Development, Management and Administration training for EVAW Commission Member in seven (7) provinces i.e. Herat, Parwan, Kabul, Balkh, Bamyan, Badakhshan and Mazar-e-sharif Provinces of Afghanistan by the support of UN-Women.
Provided BDS/ CEFE Training for MAIL women cooperatives members in Kabul and Herat provinces.
Conducted Gender Mainstreaming Training for Zardozi target beneficiaries in District 13, Kabul Afghanistan
Conducted BDS CEFE/TOT for UN-HABITAT/LCEP2 staff and village facilitators in Laghman Province.
2006 – 2009
Organized business accounting, marketing, management, bus association formation and development for ASMED-USAID.
Provided CEFE TOT, marketing and business management trainingfor Hand in Hand /SEED staff in Mazar –e- Sharif.
Trained SAB Agriculture program staff membersin CEFE TOT.
Managed training project for ASMED-USAD for conducting CEFE, CEFE TOT, accounting, marketing, business management, business association development and business plan writing in Kabul and Bamiyan.
Provided consultancy for the MRRD/SME implementation project in Almond and Melon value chain in Mazar for Hand-in-Hand/
Trained ALP staff members in CEFE TOT in Jalalabad/
Provided training for Hand in Hand /SEED staff in Mazar –e- Sharif in areas of CEFE TOT and business plan writing.
Trained International Rescue Committee’s VT staff members in CEFE ToT upgrading in Kabul
Conducted CEFE ToR session for Care international staff in Kabul.
Provided capacity building training for Mercy Corps veterinary team in Kandahar.
Conducted CEFE, business management and accounting for CNFA.
Trained ALP staff and target group in Jalalabad in BDS and CEFE.
Conducted CEFE and business management training project for FAO.
Provided CEFE training for target women loan groups in Kabul for Parwaz Micro Finance.
Conducted BDS and CEFE ToT for Hand in Hand/SEED Staff members in Kabul.
Conducted6 months Entrepreneurship TOT training for 12 trainees from provinces of Herat, Kandahar, Badakhshan, Mazar, Jalalabad& Kabul for Hand in Hand.
Concern Worldwide staff in Takhar(CEFE TOT).
Conducted BDS and CEFE for Afghan beneficiaries through Afghan Aid.
Provided business management, accounting, CEFE, CEFE TOT training for ASMED /USAID project.
Organized survey to identify business women in Jalalabad, Laghaman, Kunar and provided required training through project funded by Development Alternative Inc (DAI)-USAID.
Provided Training of Trainer (TOT) for UN Habitat staff consisting of 135 men and women in provinces ofKabul, Parwan, Bameyan, Harat and Kandahar.
Implemented a three years project from 2006-2008 for Parwaz Micro-finance for 600 women loan groups in Kabul.
2001-2003
Coordinator with IOM Afghanistan during Taliban period. Ms. Sidiqi was Coordinator for three projects: Relief, Microfinance and Vocational Training and was managing the administration work of these projects which included: producing activity reports, writing proposals, distributing salaries.
Deputy Chief of Staff, Admin and Finance, Administrative Office of President- October 2014-til May 2017
Leading the Admin and Finance Division of the AOP.
Worked as Acting Chief of Staff on five occasion to manage AOP affairs during the absence of His Excellency, the Chief of Staff, Mr. Rahimi.
Appointed as the Acting Head of the Civil Service Commission.
Coordinating with external and internal stakeholders for ensuring the smooth working of the AOP.
Strategic planning for smooth working of various directorates within AOP.
Supervising policy development and implementation within the deputy office.
Representing AOP in Capacity Building for Reform Project as member of the Steering Committe
Providing strategic support to the AOP by leading the Strategic Support Unit.
Spear heading reforms implementation in various AOP directorates for increasing efficiency and improving the output.
Reporting to the Chief of Staff on all achievements and challenges.
Overseeing the implementation of weekly, monthly and annual plans.
Overseeing procurements and inventory and ensuring that all requirement of AOP and Presidential Palace are met.
Other key responsibilities include coordination with donors for the implementation of ongoing project and reforms in AOP.
2010 - 2011
Implemented project for Business Development Services (BDS), Competency based Economic through the Formation of Enterprise (CEFE) Training of Trainers (TOT) for UN-HABIBTAT staff through NSDPProject in 21 provinces of Afghanistan.
Conducted Agriculture Development Fund (ADF) funded survey for assessment of the current capacity of women cooperatives registered with MAIL in various provinces.
Team leader for World Food Program Country Portfolio Evaluation in five provinces of Afghanistan.
Team leader for UN Women project for providing leadership and administration training.
Implemented capacity building project funded by Italian Cooperation for MOWA/DEE staff in Kabul for training in CEFE TOT, Achieving Success in Marketing, Assessing Market Opportunity andDeveloping Business Plan for new venture.
Conducted an organization assessment of AFGA in Kabul and Mazar e Sharif.
Organized Tease Event for providing Business Edge information for International Finance Cooperation (IFC) for 120 people in Kabul &Mazar.
Project manager for identifying 1400 women leaders in Afghanistan for MoWA project.
DIRECTOR AND FOUNDER OF PARNEYAN TRAINING CENTER AND REHABILITATION ORGANIZATION (P.T.C.R.O)- (2003-2012)
P.T.C.R.O. is a non-government organization that has been providing awareness and advocacy for women’s rights and issues and fighting GBV and VAW in Afghanistan
Programs Implementedas Director of PTCRO
Advisor for the Project of “Training of Justice and Law to EVAW (Elimination of Violence against Women) Commission Members” in ten (10) provinces in 2012.
Implemented project for “Animal Husbandry Training to Women” for 40 families in Kapisa province by the support of Creative/USAID from Dec, 2010 to June, 2011. PTCRO provided Animal Husbandry Training to forty (40) families.
Managed of “Opinion Survey about the NATO” in Parwan Province supported by Afghan Women Network (AWN) in 2008-2009.
PTCRO implemented a project of “Labour Rights Awareness for Women” for 40 beneficiaries in partnership with Rights to Democracy in Jalalabad province of Afghanistan in 2008.
Implemented a project of “Women Carpentry Training” for 40 female in Kabul by the support of IOM in 2004-2005.
Lead the project of “Business and Vocational Training of Photography for Women” in the four province of Afghanistan. i.e. Mazar-e- Sharif, Badakhshan, Bameyan and Loger for 40 direct beneficiaries by the support of UNFPA in 2004.
Implemented a project of “Gender Training” in 5 provinces named, Herat, Mazar-e-Sharif, Kandahar, Kabul and Jalalabad for 180 direct beneficiaries by the support of “IOM” in 2004.
Directed project of “Construction of Retaining Wall” and Women Gabion Weaving in Takhar province supported by “IOM” in 2004.
Lead the project of “Women Gabion Weaving” for 40 families of Thakar province by the support of “UNOPS” in 2004.
Implemented a project of “Women Gabion Weaving” for 65 families in Ghazni and Kabul provinces by the support of “Action Faim” in 2004.
1999-2001
Worked as Director of Community Development with UN Habitat Program in District 10 0f Kabul through which she established tailoring, embroidery, bee-keeping and wood-work enterprises for women.