About – MEI

About Us

Mountain Enterprises International

Based in the U.S., Mountain Enterprises International (MEI) deploys human and financial capital to help fund and develop self-sustaining businesses that have both economic and social impact that benefit local economies and communities living in the mountainous regions of Central Asia. Current projects underway include Mountain Food Products (MFP), which operates food production and water treatment facilities in Khorog, Tajikistan. MFP sources locally-grown crops and produces premium, healthier, and affordable snack and other food products, creating sustainable employment and better food security for local communities in the region.

Opportunities

ENHANCED FOOD SYSTEMS AND NUTRITION

By focusing on improving local food production systems, there’s an opportunity to significantly elevate nutritional standards and ensure food security in the mountainous regions. Innovative approaches to supply chain management, water use, and infrastructure can transform local food systems into models of efficiency and resilience, providing a roadmap for other regions facing similar challenges.

SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURAL PRACTICES

Central Asia’s unique agricultural landscape presents a fertile ground for pioneering sustainable farming techniques and introducing high-value, resilient crop varieties. This opens avenues for local and international partnerships aimed at enhancing agricultural productivity, thereby setting a global standard for sustainable practices in similarly challenging environments.

ROAD INFRASTRUCTURE ADVANCEMENT

Investing in the development of robust transportation networks in mountainous areas unlocks critical pathways to economic revitalization and community connectivity. Improved infrastructure facilitates access to markets, reduces costs, and opens up new channels for trade and investment, driving forward the economic and social development of the region.

DIVERSIFIED ECONOMIC GROWTH

The untapped economic potential of Central Asia’s mountain communities, with their rich cultural and natural resources, suggests a wealth of opportunities in sectors beyond traditional agriculture. Developing tourism, artisan crafts, and alternative agribusinesses can create new employment avenues, contributing to a robust and diverse regional economy.

CULTURAL HERITAGE AND GLOBAL COOPERATION

The Western Pamir region stands as a beacon of cultural diversity and fascinating history, offering unparalleled opportunities for international research, cultural exchanges, and educational initiatives. Its rich legacy makes it an ideal platform for fostering global understanding and collaboration, particularly in areas of historical study and cultural preservation.

Our Objectives

MEI set out to create a sustainable social enterprise that creates uplifting employment opportunities with good and reliable living wages. We aspire to utilize best practice and provide ongoing training and knowledge transfer to develop skilled, upwardly mobile workers and business-oriented management.

Employment: Provide sustainable employment for people from ultra-poor families
Increase Food security: invest in rebuilding a sustainable potato supply chain in Tajikistan by empowering local farmers in the region
Affordability: Produce affordable, healthier food products using local human resources and raw materials
Knowledge transfer: Train people to be skilled workers and business-oriented management using best practices
Produce fresh, clean water: While food production requires clean water, MFP aims to provide fresh drinking water to Khorog and the region

Our History

Our Values

Sustainable Social Capitalism

We believe that compassionate capitalism can help to uplift communities and improve the quality of life.

Respect For Local People And Culture

We want to build trust and foster positive relationships with local communities, to ensure the long-term success and sustainability of our work.

Source Local Raw Materials

We will source local raw materials and resources where we can add unique value.

Support The Community

We support the community and the creation of an enabling environment. (We don’t expect to play a driving role here).

Create Uplifting Employment

We will create employment opportunities that provide a good, reliable living wage and ongoing training for employees.

Produce High-quality Products

Produce High-Quality Products - not Services - for local consumption and export

Our Team

The founders of MEI believe that by uniting individuals from diverse backgrounds behind a worthy cause, we can develop groundbreaking solutions to tackle even the most ominous challenges. MEI was founded by American investors and entrepreneurs who set out to create sustainable businesses that take advantage of local resources (crops and people) thereby supporting communities and alleviating poverty in the region by providing meaningful employment opportunities. MEI is managed by a Board of Directors based in the U.S.A.

Iqbal Talib

Iqbal Talib is an engineer, entrepreneur, and investor who has founded and run several successful businesses in retail, construction, manufacturing, and technology. He has 45 years of professional experience with private companies in North America, South America, Africa, South Asia, and Central Asia and 40 years of voluntary service. Iqbal serves as Chairman of MEI and represents MEI on the Board of Directors of MFP.

Bruce Boss-Sherif

Behrooz Ross-Sheriff is a geographer, investor, and international agriculture development expert with 45 years of professional experience with private companies, the UN, the World Bank, the Asian Development Bank, USAID. Behrooz is a member of MEI’s Board of Directors.

Dr. Dilshad Hemani

Dr. Dilshad Hemani is a practicing pediatrician for over 30 years and owner and director of "Rainbow Pediatrics, Takoma Park, Maryland in the United States. Dilshad is a member of MEI. Board of Directors.

Our Partners

MEI acquired political risk insurance from the U.S. DFC beginning in 2017

MEI has acquired political risk insurance from the U.S. International Development Finance Corporation (DFC), in order to mitigate the impact of political uncertainties of investing in a business that operates in Tajikistan. The DFC is an agency of the U.S. government that supports private-sector projects in developing countries. The insurance provides coverage against government actions, political violence, expropriation, or currency inconvertibility, which could adversely affect the business. The insurance helps MEI to manage the inherent political risk associated with doing business in Tajikistan.