F E AT U RE its inception in Cairo, where the firms founder, Jerrys father George, ran a one-man show from an office on his balcony, bashing out business correspondence on a borrowed typewriter. When George, a high-profile figure in the industry, died last year, Jerry took over. From these modest beginnings, EIG has expanded to cover all of Egypt, with headquarters in Cairo and offices in Alexandria and at Cairo airport. Business covers household, corporate and commercial logistics. Egypts natural and archaeological treasures from Luxor to Sinai attract not only tourists but those yearning to live among them, a trend EIG has exploited. People want a second home or to retire, says Nazzal. Luxor has always been a world of wonder for many people. We also have a lot of activity at Sharm el Sheikh and El Gouna, the Red Sea resorts. People live there all year round, opening restaurants or buying a second property. Theres a film festival at El Gouna every year its like a mini Riviera. EIGs corporate trade centres on the oil and gas industry, and the constant moves of senior management. Another lucrative sector is embassy business. Egypt has become a regional base amid the absence of a diplomatic presence in troubled countries such as Syria. Embassies such as that of the US and UK are huge, says Nazzal. We also have international schools where teachers are hired from outside Egypt. The company, which employs 135 people, has also expanded into logistics. We couldnt rely on household activity (in the aftermath of revolution), so have developed this over the past seven or eight years. However, Nazzal adds, household moves have since recovered. Despite enduring bumpy times, Nazzal has always resisted becoming embroiled in a price war. Weve taken the high ground and made a niche for ourselves using the corporate market most people will come and ask for us. Tunisias moving business received a muchneeded shot in the arm in 2014 when the African Development Bank (AFDB) moved out of Tunis to Ivory Coast. However, the Tunisian market has decreased in size, volume and turnover Jerry Nazzal, president of Express International Group (EIG), and his late father George Egypt is slowly shrugging off the outdated practices that once throttled its economic development. The banking sector has upgraded; its technology is becoming more advanced. Theres been an easing of regulation. We used to pay customs dues in cash and now do that online everything you used to pay in cash is being turned into an e-commerce portal run by the government. But modernisation still has a long way to go. We still have a small team of runners just taking paper and ALEXANDRE DE BEAUREGARD, AGS TUNISIA (CARTHAGO MOVING AND STORAGE) Egypts banking sector has upgraded; its technology is becoming more advanced. Theres been an easing of regulation 66 FF294 DecJan20 pp64-77 Regional Focus.indd 66 WWW. F I D I . OR G 20/11/2019 15:18 Aloha