Turquoise Mountain - Aiding the regeneration of Afghanistan - showcases its work at INDEX 2007

Founded in 2006 by former British diplomat Rory Stewart, the Turquoise Mountain Foundation is a non-profit, non-governmental organization specializing in the urban regeneration, business development and education in traditional arts and architecture in Afghanistan. This year Index is proud to offer a platform to promote the Foundation's message across the Gulf.

Afghanistan is one of the poorest countries in the world. It is in danger of fragmentation, has been devastated by war, lacks natural resources and is increasingly dependant on the narcotics trade. The country's unique traditions of Islamic art and architecture have been damaged by decades of intense conflict and the ancient skills of woodcarving, ceramics, carpet weaving and embroidery are under threat along with what remains of the historic structures. Above and beyond the ravages of war, over zealous developers and modernization are now an additional threat, all leading to the inevitable loss of incomes that support hundreds of thousands of Afghan crafts people.

Turquoise Mountain, at the request of the President of Afghanistan, has pioneered a new approach to redevelopment that combines cultural heritage with education and livelihoods. Several programmes and projects are underway, breathing new life and providing hope in Kabul and the rural areas beyond. Afghans need jobs, skills, economic opportunities and a renewed pride in their national culture and Turquoise Mountain aims to meet those needs.

Hedvig Boserup, Director of Business Development Outreach will head up the Turquoise Mountain team at Index. Boserup, based in Kabul, joined the Foundation last year after working with the United Nations Development Programme in Afghanistan. "This is our first international fair and we are very excited to see the response to our products in this important market. The Foundation has been well supported by donors from the Gulf, in particular the United Arab Emirates and it is only fitting that our first real exposure be here in Dubai".

The Foundation will be showcasing intricately carved wooden items, in particular a classic Nooristani carved screen, along with other traditional pieces and some calligraphy items. Boserup is hoping to attract buyers and new donors for the Foundation as well as spreading the message of the Turquoise Mountain projects. "By developing new markets for these unique items we can offer jobs and a worthwhile income to local Afghanis as well as redeveloping these ancient skills through our training programme in our new Centre for Traditional Afghan Arts and Architecture."

"Index is honoured to welcome Turquoise Mountain as an exhibitor this year as it makes its international debut. This year, in line with the increased demand for quality Art, Index will feature an expanded selection of regional and international art related companies and it is most fitting that this includes such acclaimed works from Afghanistan." said Kim Willis, Exhibition Development Director of dmg world media Dubai, the organisers of the event.

"As the premier interiors event in the region, INDEX can provide the right showcase for these unique products, opening up avenues to new markets and providing a second to none visitor list made up of architects, specifiers, designers and collectors from around the Gulf. This highly active sector of the interiors market is set to be even more diverse at this year's show and we are delighted to be able to help promote the noble projects being carried out by Turquoise Mountain in Afghanistan".

The main focus of the Foundations' work is in the old city in Kabul where they have invested in the regeneration of the historic commercial centre, providing basic services, saving historic buildings and constructing a new bazaar and galleries for traditional craft businesses. It is here that Turquoise Mountain has established Afghanistan's first Centre for Traditional Afghan Arts and Architecture. Some of the greatest Masters in the country are now based at the centre training students in the arts of woodcarving, calligraphy and ceramics. The Centre acts as a springboard to regenerate urban areas, promote and preserve heritage, attract visitors, develop Afghan businesses and raise living standards. All this leads to the renewal of an Afghani sense of identity and pride after years of conflict and destruction.

HE Hamid Karzai, President of Afghanistan who is joint president of the Foundation along with the Prince of Wales, comments "I am confident that initiatives such as Turquoise Mountain will not only help Afghanistan rediscover and sustain its heritage but will also contribute to a greater understanding between Islam and other civilizations."

The Foundation is able to use the skills and resources of the Centre to serve communities and rural villages. As the Centre is located in the Murad Khane area of the old city, this area has been the first to benefit from the regeneration but there is also an urgent need to support the rural craft communities that having been battered by decades of war, now have to content with limited access to raw materials and cheap imports from China and Pakistan.

To this end, the Foundation is setting up a Resource Centre in the village of Istalif, the traditional centre of Afghanistan's ceramic industry, known worldwide for its glazed pottery and tiles. Istalif was razed to the ground by the Taliban in 1999 and until 2001 was abandoned. The foundation is working closely with the potter's community as well as local elders and district authorities to implement an integrated plan for the preservation of Istalif's social, cultural and natural environment.

As part of its Business Development Programme, the Foundation has chosen to exhibit at Index to promote all these existing Afghani craft businesses and expand their commercial opportunities by sourcing new markets here in the Gulf and beyond.

Index 2007 sees the event celebrating 17 highly successful years in the region. Internationally acknowledged as one of the world's most important showcases of the very best in furniture and interior design, the event will again be the biggest trade show in any sector in the whole of the Gulf region, featuring more exhibitors, expanded country pavilions and the leading regional and international names from the interiors and furniture industry.

"Visitors to Index 2007 will be able to see a superb showcase of all types of art alongside all of the other key product areas - furniture, textiles, flooring, wall coverings, window products, lighting, kitchens, bathrooms, ceramics, interior architecture, accessories, interior design services and furniture production," concluded Willis. "It is precisely this comprehensive mix of interior products and services that gives Index such strong appeal."

Index, the Middle East's International Furniture and Interior Design Exhibition, takes place from 1-5 November 2007 at Dubai International Exhibition Centre.

Turquoise Mountain will be located in Hall 1, stand 1CO5.