Innovation

United Universal Group is run by two entrepreneurs who develop unique ways to meet the needs of their customers. The organization predominantly works with the United States Government on a variety of contracts. United Universal Group has strong logistical capabilities and is able to provide the necessary materials, equipment, and man power for large-scale projects in Afghanistan. The service they provide is unique because the company employs the use of Afghan engineers and laborers as well as the U.S military to provide solutions for the completion of large-scale construction and infrastructure projects. "Our team consists of intelligent and capable Afghans, Americans and Ex-Pats" (Ashraf Raja) Working in Afghanistan, United Universal Group is faced with a variety of humanitarian, governmental, recreational, agricultural, and military issues. They must navigate through all these issues to satisfy the needs of their customers, improve the infrastructure of Afghanistan, and keep Afghan/American citizens safe.

Inspiration

The United States has had a heavy presence in Afghanistan since the United States invasion of Afghanistan during 2001. The aim of this war was to dismantle al-Qaeda and remove the Taliban from power. Once the Taliban were removed from power, the United States Government and International Allies turned their attention on efforts to rebuild Afghanistan and strengthen its government and military.

United Universal Group is a company run by American/Afghan citizens with the goal of helping the international community rebuild war-torn Afghanistan. Afghanistan has extremely high poverty and unemployment rates, much of the population of the country is under the age of 20. Many Afghan citizens lack access to basic services, and thousands of children lack access to education. Both the President and Vice President of the company were born in Afghanistan and wished to help become part of the effort to rebuild their country. "I was born in Afghanistan and came to the United States as a refugee when I was 14 years old. I grew up in Queens and considered myself a New Yorker but I never forgot about the crisis in my own homeland" (Ashraf Raja)

There exists an overwhelming desire by the international community to move Afghanistan towards a more secure and stable future. Corruption threatens many of these efforts to establish a growing and self-sustaining economy. United Universal Group is an independent organization not influenced by the Afghan government, which seeks to assist the international communities in any projects conducted on Afghan soil. "We make every effort to promote a sense of national pride into every member of our Afghan and International workforce" (Ashraf Raja)

Overall impact

The impact United Universal Group has is extensive and far-reaching. The services they provide vary based on the type of contract. However, United Universal Group has certain products that they supply for use all over Afghanistan. Some of these products include copper cable, PVC pipes, electrical cables, air conditioners, and air heaters. The more important products that they provide which have a direct impact are electrical generators, armored vehicles, fuel services, transportation services, and heavy equipment. These generators are used in commercial projects, but the company has a history of providing generators at a low cost to communities that are in need of such machinery. In this way United Universal Group helps contribute to affordable energy for many afghan citizens in the local community. The organization has completed many projects for the U.S Government. The organization has done extensive work on Camp Eggers, Camp Phoenix, and Bagram Air Base. The infrastructure required on a military camp is extensive and United Universal Group was responsible for producing the adequate high-quality materials, man-power, and heavy equipment for building construction or security upgrades on base. These bases are owned by the US military and their presence benefits the citizens of Afghanistan in that area by provided safety.

Furthermore, as US presence in Afghanistan decreases in time many of these locations are transitioned into becoming a part of the Afghan military. These bases are created to the high standard of the United States military, which makes them an invaluable asset to the military of Afghanistan. The company's armored car service is extremely important in a country where roadside bombs and Taliban attacks are commonplace. United Universal Group positively impacts U.S troops by making sure military bases are built securely and effectively. In all of its projects the company uses Afghan engineers, architects, and laborers to complete their work. This provides many Afghan citizens with a secure and meaningful job. "United Universal Group believes that providing opportunities for Afghan engineers, architects, and laborers to utilize their skills and earn a decent wage has a lasting impact on families and the entire community" (Ashraf Raja) Much of the work United Universal Group carries out creates a net positive impact in the area, as a result of increased safety. By making areas in Afghanistan more secure and safe, United Universal Group is able to benefit more citizens of Afghanistan, not just the Afghan citizens employed by the company.

Business benefit

United Universal Group benefits from their operations by

• Successfully completing customer contracts
• Selling the products they offer for use throughout Afghanistan
• Renting or leasing out the use of their armored vehicle fleet
• Renting or leasing out the use of their heavy machinery & transportation services

Social and environmental benefit

• Construct US military bases in Afghanistan to the specification of the US military. Ensuring safety and reliability.
• Help expand opportunities for Afghan citizens by importing foreign machinery and tools for use in contracts.
• Improving the ability of Afghan's private sector to expand access to energy for business and households and preserve facilities that offer important public services.
• United Universal Group only works with trusted suppliers in an effort to advance transparency in the region and combat corruption in Afghanistan's private sector.
• Ensures the safety of foreign citizens through the provision of armored car services.
• Providing access to low cost and affordable generators on a commercial and personal scale.
• Company has experience in installing filtration systems to provide clean water to compounds across the country.

Interview

Ashraf Raja, Vice President