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REG IO N A L FO C U S The team at AGS, which has seen an increase in furniture, fixtures and equipment, relocation, records management and fine art transport services Alexandre de Beauregard, of AGS Tunisia New players have been lured into the market, which has resulted in a lot of unexpected competition 42 advantage, easily able to dispatch their goods back across the Mediterranean. While this has generated new business for AGS, its not all good news, admits Recizac. New players have been lured into the market, which has resulted in a lot of unexpected competition, he says. Companies sending trucks from Europe now have agents in Morocco to make sure these are full on the return journey. Post-pandemic business took an upturn in 2022, when moves delayed because of prolonged border closures could finally go ahead. AGS Morocco was strengthened by the arrival of two new sales reps from other branches, while participation in VIE, Frances international internship programme, helps ensure a steady influx of new talent. Our size, international footprint and variety of core businesses moving/relocation/records management/fine art/FF&E [furniture, fixtures and equipment] also attract people, says Recizac. The price and scarcity of container ships has been an ongoing headache throughout the moving industry. Corporate clients had no choice but to absorb the increased rates, although they offset these by reducing moving allowances, moving fewer employees, or shortening the duration of assignments. High freight rates resulted in more consolidated shipments for us. Given our proximity to Europe, we used trucks for some moves, which helped, because prices were more reasonable and transit times shorter. Recizac says the growth in Pan-African moves, as Africans increasingly invest in their own continent, remains part of the business future, even though moving within Africa can often be challenging. That said, AGS has seen a substantial increase in FF&E, relocation, records management and fine art transport services. Jamyl Bouayad, MD at Bedel, says the climate of confidence in some countries, especially Morocco, is spurring on this trend. Yet, hes cautious about the outlook. The pace of recovery in Africa since 2021 isnt marked enough to erase the consequences of past crises: the drop in per capita income in many countries; and the rise in poverty and unemployment, he says. The ability of governments to act is burdened by rapidly increasing debt and tightened conditions for countries with access to external financing. Difficulties persist for moving companies that want to replace skilled, tech-savvy staff reaching retirement age. Some business qualifications are no longer available on the job market, and firms must train young people to ensure the same level of service quality, Bouayad says. Were obliged to look internationally. It may seem surprising, but it can also be difficult to fill job roles such as executive assistants or secretaries. Our customers pay much more attention to the experience people have, especially soft skills, beyond diplomas and technical skills. Candidates take increasing care about what the company offers, as well as working conditions premises, hours, parking space, benefits, etc.