The post-confinement world remains a deeply uncertain one, with many business owners battling for survival and hoping they can hang on long enough to benefit from an economic upturn, when it comes.
The married father-of-two set up the factory in 2013 and employs nearly 300 workers. He annually exports some $5-million of goods -- much of it to retailers in Spain, one of Europe's countries worst-hit by the virus. Nearly all his staff were busy ahead of a first post-virus shipment since exports were halted in January and"so far everything is running smoothly," he said.Despite making a loss, and taking out loans from family, friends and the government to pay staff wages during lockdown, Ahmed said proudly:"I didn't fire a single worker. In fact, I appointed some 10-12 new workers to catch up with the shipment deadline.
The company is confident it will survive because it has maintained contact with its long-term customers, new ones are coming onboard and other competitors may struggle for lift-off in the post-COVID landscape.Claus Mueller, owner of plexiglass manufacturer Riesner, holding a sheet of plexiglass.
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