Informational and analytical weekly "BelGazeta" has published an interview with Frank Müller, Head of the Council of Shareholders of international group of transport and logistics companies AsstrA, in the Annual Special Edition "Top Results 2009".

- What was special to you about 2009?

- 2009 was a year of drastic changes in economy and business that required a quick reaction. Rates dropped sharply, volumes changed and business risks increased rapidly under world economic and financial crisis conditions. All companies were forced to operate while cutting their costs to a minimum. This became a real test for companies in terms of their ability to react to all surprises prepared by the market quickly and efficiently.

- How did the financial crisis affect the transport and logistics business in Belarus and the CIS?

- The crisis did not cause as many difficulties in Belarus and the CIS as it did in the West, yet it had more impact on real business than it did in the West. East European countries were least prepared for dramatic changes in market conditions. Their “bubbles”, i.e. consumption, real estate, investment and currency, were bigger and eventually they blew out. Therefore, these markets will stabilize later. Talking about the Belarusian market, the crisis impact was less severe and sooner growth is thus possible due to the fact that its economy is based chiefly on working force and not on speculation. 

- What solutions on CIS markets in 2009 could you point out as important ones?

- In Russia, the Ukraine and Belarus it is national currency stabilization. i would also like to point out investment programs in Russia and Belarus.

- How will the branch develop next year?

-  With as many difficulties as in 2009. We need to work hard to implement all that has been planned and to be better than our competitors are.  Real improvement of the economy will be slow. In 2009 the economy sank to the level of 2006. I suppose it is only in 2012 that it will reach the level of 2008 again. Yet, AsstrA will be one step ahead at that time.

- What should logistics companies in Belarus be prepared for?

- The situation will be most difficult for small companies with not very high liquidity, as access to capital will be complicated in the new year. Companies with investment capital are unlikely to make sizeable investments in 2010. 

- What has been positive for AsstrA group of companies, including the Belarusian market, in the departing year?

- We were really happy that we managed to motivate our employees even under such difficult conditions. We were effective at adapting to the new reality and were working with no losses. Moreover, we were constantly increasing the number of our customers.

We greet the year 2010 with optimism. The departing year has shown us that we can handle difficult situations. Our team became even more closely tied to be a successful company in the future.

- What would you wish to AsstrA partners and customers as well as all to Belarusians ahead of Christmas and New Year?

- What my employees have taught me is to wish only love: love for our families and for work. Love for communication with and openness towards our partners – colleagues, customers and suppliers. It is only positive thinking that can make us move this world in the right direction.

REFERENCE from "BelGazeta". AsstrA is an international group of transport and logistics companies headquartered in Zurich, Switzerland. It is represented by 20 offices in 10 countries of Europe and Asia; about 800 employees provide services to more than 4,000 customers; the group’s turnover in 2008 amounted to 160 million Euro. The liability of the company as a freight forwarder is insured by the insurance broker, Aktiv Assekuranz (Germany), with a 1,000,000 EUR limit per every insured accident. AsstrA shares the responsibility for the transportation harmful effect on the environment and puts every effort to minimize it from its side.

Information source: http://belgazeta.by/20091228.51/420394881