Farooq Kathwari of Ethan Allen Interiors To Receive Humanitarian Award

Furniture World Magazine

The chief executive officer of Ethan Allen Interiors, Farooq Kathwari, will be honored with the 2006 Business Humanitarian Award at a June 21 ceremony in New York, according to the United States Council for International Business (USCIB) and the Business Humanitarian Forum (BHF), which are organizing the event. George F. Russell, Jr. and John C. Whitehead, BHF’s honorary co-chairs, will present the award. Mr. Kathwari has a long involvement in humanitarian activities, most recently providing material support for reconstruction in post-Taliban Afghanistan, and sponsoring dialogue between Indians and Pakistanis seeking a peaceful solution to the dispute over Kashmir. “Farooq Kathwari exemplifies the humanitarian spirit in business,” said BHF President John J. Maresca. “His actions demonstrate that humanitarian endeavors can not only help build communities and goodwill, but can promote private enterprise and often make business sense.” In February, Mr. Kathwari was responsible for a major in-kind donation of manufacturing equipment from Danbury, Connecticut-based Ethan Allen to BHF. The donated equipment, currently being shipped to Afghanistan, is destined for Sima Tabib, a woman entrepreneur who co-owns the Afghan National Furniture Company, which produces building materials for the Afghan market. The Ethan Allen donation will enable expansion of the company’s product line and production capacity, including a new furniture factory in Kabul. Ethan Allen will also be providing design advice. “This new facility will reduce the need to import furniture, and will improve the availability, quality, and access to durable goods,” said Mr. Maresca. “By rebuilding the production capacity of local industries in Afghanistan, the project will support reconstruction and economic development and improve the quality of life in the region.” USCIB representatives said they were delighted to support the event honoring Mr. Kathwari. “Farooq Kathwari recognizes the private sector’s responsibility to work toward improving the lives of others,” said Thomas Niles, vice chair of USCIB and member of the BHF advisory board. “It is terrific that he’s being recognized for his contributions. I hope other CEOs will follow his example.” Founded in 1999, BHF works to bridge the gap of understanding and promote cooperation between humanitarian organizations and private business, encouraging both to work together to solve complex development problems. It participates in private sector development projects in poor countries, brings together entrepreneurs from the least developed countries with potential supporters, and supports dialogue and training. USCIB promotes an open system of global commerce in which business can flourish and contribute to economic growth, human welfare and protection of the environment. Its membership includes some 300 U.S. companies, professional service firms and associations whose combined annual revenues exceed $3 trillion. As American affiliate of the leading international business and employers organizations, USCIB provides business views to policy makers and regulatory authorities worldwide and works to facilitate international trade.