REG IO N A L FO C U S AGS Tunisias Deputy Manager Sami Afankous (top) supervises a packing job Jerry Nazzal, of Express International Group (EIG) High freight rates resulted in more consolidated shipments and we used trucks for some moves international investment. Theres no money here and the country cant borrow the country is struggling to pay its functionaries [civil servants]. As for tackling COVID, AGS adopted a global strategy to ensure all employees were paid even when not working a lifeline for them, but a big demand on the companys finances. Besides the soaring price of freight, packing materials have also become more expensive. It makes for a tough climate and is bad news for customers. Afankous says that being upfront from the outset is the best way of dealing with things. We need to adapt and engage with all our clients, and work with suppliers to find the best prices, he adds. Among changes implemented by Tunisia Branch Director Michel Vuillin is the recruitment of quality staff, some through IVE, to add extra support. Hes also introduced new training programmes. It has been a struggle to hire [suitable] local staff, but we always manage to do it, says Afankous. He believes AGS will continue its post-COVID bounceback after what has been a hard time for everyone. The company has expanded its range of services to include office moves, customs clearance, and fine art. Were getting a better image in general, says Afankous. And despite competition in some areas from smaller local firms they arent as reliable... sometimes [their staff] work, sometimes they dont. Few FIDI Affiliates in the region seem more optimistic than Jerry Nazzal, President of Express International Group (EIG), the Cairo-based company founded by his father, George, more than 50 years ago. It helped that COVID restrictions in Egypt were less draconian than in many parts of the world in fact, a little on the lax side, says Nazzal, with locals often blas about rules and regulations. We werent under curfew. Business was 50-70 per cent of usual levels and we didnt really stop. Egypt is such a vast country; you cant stop the wheels turning. Cairo doesnt sleep. The diverse nature of EIGs business helps keep it resilient, not least its growing trade making cardboard and paper packaging. This started in 2008, but suffered a big blow three and a half years ago when fire ripped through the plant. It has taken quite some time to recover, but the operation is now back Part of a high-care North African shipment FIDI Affiliates in North Africa AGS ALGERIA AGS FRASERS EGYPT AGS FRASERS MOROCCO BEDEL CARTHAGO MOVING & STORAGE DEMINTER INTERNATIONAL EXPRESS INTERNATIONAL GROUP UNITED TRANS S.A.E. 46 AFFILIATE AFFILIATE AFFILIATE AFFILIATE AFFILIATE AFFILIATE AFFILIATE AFFILIATE ALGIERS CAIRO CASABLANCA CASABLANCA TUNIS TUNIS CAIRO CAIRO ALGERIA EGYPT MOROCCO MOROCCO TUNISIA TUNISIA EGYPT EGYPT