A provider of logistics and freight services resumed operations the second day of the Port Explosion from makeshift tents – right at Ground Zero. In Gemmayzeh, a cocktail and juice shop reopened its doors, even before repairing its shattered façade. The country’s leading newspaper, whose employees suffered serious injuries, and offices were totally decimated, displayed a dogged determination, when two of its team members, both blast survivors, worked from home that same evening on next day’s edition. A hospital, devastated and rendered non-operational, resumed partial operations two weeks after the explosion. Major international retail brands have reopened their shops despite an economy that lacks promise. This is a sample of the reactions of the business community in the wake of facing death.
Defiant NET Group operates from parking lot
The NET Group, a provider of logistics and freight services, resumed operations the second day following the explosion at the Port of Beirut despite the fact that its premises in the Karantina area were partially damaged and its warehouse at the port completely destroyed. “We have set up makeshift tents to use as offices, CEO of The NET Group. He said that their drivers continued their work as usual. Aoun said that their Karantina warehouse was 50 percent destroyed while the offices were partially damaged. “We will be able to move to our offices next week after completing the repair work,” he said. Aoun said they are working at 70 percent of their operational capacity. The facilities in the port are scheduled to be completed next January and those in Karantina by the end of September. Aoun said that they will go ahead with their previous plans despite the losses they have suffered which are estimated at nearly $3 million. Earlier this year, NET Group launched an automated logistics center designed for e-commerce in the Karantina area. Besides Lebanon, the company operates in Jordan, Iraq, the UAE, and Turkey. It was founded in 1994 as a local express courier.
