Heard On The Street
If you want to know really what’s going on in Egypt, you talk to someone like Doug Anderson. Anderson is a contract employee who just fi nished a stint working with Wadi Foods and other companies on establishing standards for food processing. He now works for National Food Company in Cairo.
Anderson has led a nomadic life working in 47 countries, many as a contractor for the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). His permanent residence is Bakersfield, California, but his home could be anywhere in the world. As such he is able to size up a situation rather quickly.
According to Anderson, who brokers deals for NFC around the world, "the biggest impediment to business in Egypt is the bureaucracy. . . that and mistrust of the private sector. Egypt’s reputation for not being friendly to business has cost the country many opportunities. DHL and FedEx both wanted to be here, but were frustrated by the bureaucracy," he said. "Even with that," conceded Anderson, "companies can still make good money. Some have margins and returns of up to 60 percent or more."
Anderson said that the establishment of a planned "one-stop shop" for government services will help alleviate bureaucratic delays and hassle for the citizens of Cairo.
He also reiterated the strength of the newly elected cabinet.
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