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Hassina Syed

Asia Economic Empowerment

In Hassina Syed’s three decades of life, she has only known her country at war. Born a month before the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan, Hassina has, with determination and grace, overcome cultural, educational and security barriers to become one of the few successful female entrepreneurs in Afghanistan.

It’s hard to believe that the Syed Group of Companies, of which she is founder and president, started in 2003 with a budget of only $500 USD. Hassina’s companies, all based in Kabul, range from hotels to agricultural products to vehicles and beyond. But her work does not stop there.

Helping fellow Afghan women became a part of Hassina’s everyday life when she founded the Afghan National Organization for Women (NOW), which she currently leads. With over 1,200 members supporting the interests of Afghan women in business and society, NOW supports current and future generations of female entrepreneurs like Hassina.