C OVE R STORYeventually expanded its geographical coverage to GCC andMENA region in general since 2016 onwards, focusing mostlyon challenging and specialized logistics solutions, likeoversized, heavy and bulky, dangerous and multimodal.Last year, we were awarded a contract to move precast concretein the GCC for more than 1,300 trips of specially equipped fleet.And the last phase of this contract coincided with the Covid-19outbreak.Also, during January 2020, we were awarded another contract tomove raw materials from multiple origins to the GCC and thefinal products to half a dozen destinations in Europe. Again,highly specialized multimodal and multistage logistics andtransportation were managed mainly by our team'sprofessional and creative approach.Every company is now on survival mode following monthsof lockdown all over the world. How important is honestyand integrity in today's business scene to make things workand help in the recovery efforts?Well, we have proven to ourselves and our community yet againthat it is all in the Core Values.As we could see from our China branches what is going tohappen if the virus spreads in our regions, we have had veryopen and candid discussions with our entire workforce across allour stations.As early as mid-March, we declared to our staff that this will bethe last month we expect to have our full wages. And everyonewas advised to strictly budget themselves for months to come. Iam very humbled by the trust and loyalty of our peopleeverywhere.In March-2017, we increased the salaries by 6% across thegroup, with no real business improvement expectations. Ourteam appreciate these gestures and has gone the extra mileduring these tough times to ensure the service remainsfunctional and we keep the company safeguarded.We have not laid-off a single staff due to the pandemic. Yes, wecut on many luxuries and reduced salaries for April and May, butkept our people on their jobs.It is a harsh reality; no service provider can sustain by movingonly medical and top urgent necessity shipments alone.possible panic and let the public find out later on mainstreammedia. Yet, we decided early on, that we will keep our messagebrief, clear and concise.Mateen Express is known for its cost-effective solutions andhonesty, which are now more relevant, given today'sunprecedented global crisis. Please share your thoughts onthis subject as far as companies seeking your services areconcerned.Well, thank for thinking nicely about us. I would say, the traits weare mostly known for are, trustworthy & reliable. When westarted back in 2003 & 2004, all the concepts and services weintroduced were all new, and never tested prior to us.So, a major reason for customers to get on board was ourhonest approach. Then we gradually proved our worth to beTrustworthy & Reliable not only to individual customers, but toSMBs, Corporates, MNCs and Interline Partners, Integrators andFreight Forwarding partners as well as Governments.Time and time again, customers are telling us on different levels,why they stick by us. The core values we live by are not brochureand presentation material, in fact it has been our guidingprinciples in every aspect and since the inception of thecompany; in our recruiting, selecting business partners &associates, proposing solutions to critical situations wherethings can get blurry, and so on. Most of the time, you will haveto sacrifice an immediate or short-term gain in return to stick bythese values and principles, but in the long run you will harvestwhat you planted.And the beauty of living by sound principles is, for as long as youstand by such high principles and practice them in your dailybusiness, you gain the trust of your surroundings and you getloads of ideas and insights, feedback and advise. And word ofmouth proved to be one of the best ways to connect with newpotential customers.Having said so, one has to keep his tools sharp and his peopleprepared and motivated, and adapt to the new realities andmarket evolution and new technologies breaking ground everyday.I can humbly say, when it is about Iraq, you don't think further,we always have you covered.Our business has always been flourishing with stable andprosperous times where there is trade and development.However, during this difficult time, we keep moving forward andholding up, while we focus on training, optimization, costreductions and many other initiatives.I am equally thankful to our customers and partners who kepttrusting us during this unprecedented time.We started publishing regular updates on what is happening inIraq through our website and social media, even before themainstream media get them through.This extra level of integrity and transparency was very importantfor our customers, contractors, service providers and staff. Wekept everyone in the know of what is going on and what toexpect next. And we certainly had moments of hesitationwhether to share the info to the public or withhold to avoid any
C OVE R STORY