´We hope that in 2021 we can see an industry rise from the ashes´- Cristian Galarza, ASAP

"What happened (and to some extent continues to happen) in 2020, no one expected. We all know that we operate in a sector that is exposed to political decisions and various aspects of the situation. But that overnight stops for I complete the operation throughout the world, it is something that was not in the plans of the most pessimistic. We lived the first months of the pandemic between a state of uncertainty and another of optimism, but the latter faded as the amount of cases increased globally. In terms of logistics, the machines that had already been shipped reached their destinations, were dispatched, and were stored. What had not been shipped was immediately suspended. Activity quickly reduced to "0," Galarza stated.

"In the case of ASAP, we stayed close to our clients, giving them adequate advice as always so that they could make decisions based on truthful information, and keeping them updated on all the new foreign trade regulations (which were many). And Thanks to diversification, we have been able to go through the eye of the storm without major changes in the structure, which allows us to continue offering our clients a service of excellence," he added.

Regarding the future, Galarza commented: "If there is something that I understood during this 2020, it is that the projections are useless before the appearance of a black swan like COVID. And more than 8 months after the start of isolation, the future it is still uncertain. Seeing the second wave of infections in Europe is discouraging, but vaccines are getting closer and closer and that raises hope. Given the uncertainty, the best we can do is work hard and be close to the different players in the sector " .

"Our objective has always been regional. Our presence in LATAM continues to be important, and even my personal departure from ASAP Panama does not change in any way the service we can offer there and throughout the Central American and Caribbean region. Our offices in Buenos Aires, Colombia, Peru and Miami have continued to function with "possible normality", and our clients have continued to receive the usual service. We hope that in 2021 everything we experienced in 2020 will have become only a memory to tell our grandchildren, and that we can see an industry rise from the ashes, "he concluded.