Bayat Group
Architected, activated, and managed strategic new partnerships, investments, and new ventures in Afghanistan, Ethiopia, and Republic of Georgia on behalf of the Bayat Group (www.bayat-group.com), a US$250M annual revenue frontier market-focused business and philanthropic organization with offices in Afghanistan, India, United Arab Emirates, Ethiopia, and USA. Notable achievements include:
Energy/Oilfield Services
- Led the development of Bayat Energy (www.bayat-energy.com) an oil and gas exploration, development and production company focused on investing primarily in frontier markets with large exploration upside that have historically been under explored.
- Developed partnerships with Turkish National Petroleum (TPAO) and Çalık Enerji as part of a successful joint consortium bid for a large natural gas Government Tender in northwest Afghanistan. Structured bid preparation, EPSC and JOA negotiation strategies, etc.
- Executed a MoU with Schlumberger to buy and/or lease certain oilfield equipment for use solely within Afghanistan.
Power Generation
- As Chief Regulatory Officer and Head of Business Development, led the development of Bayat Power, an Afghan registered independent power producing (“IPP”) business focused on developing, acquiring and operating long-term contracted gas-fired power generating plants in Afghanistan.
- Successfully obtained Power Generating license from the Government of Afghanistan in late 2014, and have led project structuring, modeling, and vendor discussions related to a planned simple cycle 50-80MW gas-to-power project in northern Afghanistan. Established dialogue with GE, Siemens, OPIC, and World Bank/IFC related to this project.
Telecommunications – Tower Sale/Leaseback and Fibre Optic
- Conceptualized, operationalized, and lead day-to-day management for a start up passive telecommunications sale/leaseback venture (www.frontiertowersolutions.com). Responsible for all branding, identity, financing, and business development activities, with initial geographic focus on Afghanistan, Iraq, South Sudan, Burundi, Rwanda, Guyana, and Suriname.
- Explored fiber optic projects in South Sudan, Myanmar, and Zimbabwe.
Media
- Led the acquisition of Afghan broadcast rights for World Cup 2014; English Premier League Football (2014-2016); Asian Games 2014; AFC Asian Cup Australia 2015; and other high profile international content for Ariana Television and Radio (ATN) (www.arianatelevision.com), the largest private media channel in Afghanistan.
- Successfully wrote multiple grant applications for U.S. and other international donors related to television and radio content and programming reach (e.g. election coverage, women’s’ radio content, etc.) Grants received in 2013 > $1M.
- Led ATN’s digital TV strategy, and hold responsibility for international partnership/sponsorship relationships with Voice of Russia, Deutsche Welle, FIFA, and Asian Broadcasting Union (ABU).
Pharmaceuticals
- Led team involved in undertaking a joint venture investment in an IV-fluid manufacturing facility in Ethiopia.
Frontier Market Due Diligence
- Led ongoing market due diligence related to telecom/broadband related investment opportunities in Kurdistan, Yemen, Libya, South Sudan, Burundi, Djibouti, Mozambique, Myanmar, and Zimbabwe, and conducted a number of site visits to such.