A large-scale project

Celebrating the art of the communities settled on the Bamenda Plateau, the exhibition also featured vast sculptures, metalwork, beadwork, textile creations and traditional dances. Displays showcased the traditions, skills and culture of Cameroon while demonstrating the importance of preserving and sharing heritage as well as its relevance and usefulness today.

Organised in collaboration with the La Route des Chefferies, the sub-Saharan association that works to safeguard and enhance Cameroon’s cultural, natural and creative heritage, nearly 300 works in all were staged along a route designed to offer a view into the heart of Bamileke society.

The artefacts, passed down through generations of traditional rulers, were punctuated by modern Cameroonian artworks to highlight the chiefdoms’ cultural influence on contemporary art and emphasise that their legacy lives on in today’s society.

A journey of obstacles

The story begins in Bafoussam, a city 15 hours’ drive from Douala, Cameroon’s economic capital. Although the items had previously been collected from each chiefdom and consolidated by La Route des Chefferies, they still had to be inventoried. Together with an expert from the museum, the AGS crew made meticulous notes on each piece’s condition and dimensions to prepare it for packing and transport.

It would take three weeks on site to build the custom wooden crates required to transport the collection. But the real challenge would prove to be the transport itself. To get the pieces to Douala would take no fewer than six journeys by truck along crumbling roads and under police escort, owing to the tensions in the country.

“Passing through the police checkpoints was extremely complicated,” explains David Lafontaine, Director of AGS Cameroon. “Although we had prepared all the necessary certificates and authorisations, we still had to open the crates in the presence of a lawyer, to prove that the goods inside matched the declaration.”

After drawn out discussions and hours of waiting, the AGS crew was finally able to get underway. It then took six flights between Douala and Lièges, Belgium, to transport the works to Europe. The return journey was easier as they could be placed on a single flight. Although it would take another six trips to get them back to Bafoussam.

A job for specialists

AGS has been operating in Cameroon since 1995 and has expanded to two offices and 45 employees. Both branches offer physical and digital records management, FF&E installation for the hotel industry, relocation and moving solutions, as well as the specialised services required to move prized works of art and museum artefacts.

Transporting these precious objects requires a particular set of skills: not only must the packaging be adapted to minimise the effects of moisture and humidity, but the crews must be trained to appreciate the objects in their care and know how to handle them correctly using the proper grips and moves.

Moves involving culturally valuable items also require painstaking preparation. Obtaining the necessary authorisations and documentation, such as CITES certificates, is crucial to prevent delays or additional handling. Clear and timely communication between the various stakeholders is key to avoiding misunderstandings, delays or unforeseen stops in the logistical chain.

Importantly, the preparation phase must take into account the protocols and procedures of the local authorities. In Cameroon, for example, it took three months from the first visit to Bafoussam to deliver the objects to the Quai Branly museum. This was mainly due to the one and a half months needed to obtain the export authorisation from the Ministry of Arts and Culture. Fortunately, the collection could be stored securely in the AGS warehouse during this time.

“The team is proud of the success of this complex project,” adds David. “An assignment of this scale doesn’t come along every day, and it allowed them to demonstrate not only their professionalism but also their ingenuity and responsiveness to ensure that the pieces arrived safely and in time for the exhibition.”

Throughout our global network, AGS crews are trained and experienced in transporting precious antiques and works of art.

If you have a valuable collection that needs to travel, contact us today for your free quote.

As part of its exchange programme, France has created the International Volunteer in Enterprise (V.I.E.) initiative which offers young graduates a professional mission abroad. Please meet Antoine, V.I.E. for the AGS Group in Yaoundé, Cameroon.

Antoine, can you introduce yourself and talk about what led you to Cameroon?

I’ve always been very curious to discover the world. During my studies at the University of Sorbonne in Paris, I seized the opportunity to live abroad as an exchange student. I spent a semester in Canada before finishing my studies while I lived in Taiwan, and I was officially bitten by the travel bug. At the end of my master’s degree, I landed a one-year assignment at the National Olympic and Sports Committee of Rwanda. It was a very rich experience and led to another 6-month contract at an NGO. The year and a half in Africa aroused my curiosity and I searched for ways to return to the continent.

The V.I.E. missions seemed to be the perfect fit and were in line with my career aspirations. The missions provide comfortable living conditions as well as financial means and offer a reasonable commitment period – up to 2 years. It was also the ideal opportunity for me to take the first step into the private sector while discovering life in a new country.

I’d like to think that I didn’t choose Cameroon, but that Cameroon chose me. I applied for a wide variety of missions in many countries and finally ended up at AGS in Yaoundé. My attention was not necessarily or intrinsically set on the country, however, in hindsight, Cameroon offers a large number of professional and personal challenges. Doing project management in a country where “yes” does not necessarily mean “yes”, “no” does not mean “no”, and “tomorrow” means “one day maybe”, there is no doubt that I learned a lot.

What is your mission at AGS?

My assignment at AGS includes a combination of public relations, customer portfolio management and logistics coordination. In the international mobility industry, a large part of the market is acquired by image and trust. Our clientele in Yaoundé mainly comprises of diplomats, representatives of the United Nations and those of big international NGOs. My role is to interact positively with these embassies and organisations, formally or otherwise, during a business meeting or even leisurely events, such as a round of golf. As a result, they will spontaneously think of AGS when they move one of their postings. Once the move is underway, I take care of negotiating the best prices with our suppliers – carriers, charters, freight forwarders – and coordinate all stakeholders, from packaging to delivery to destination.

What are the activities of the AGS Group in Cameroon?

AGS is one of the world leaders in international removals and has been operating for over forty years. The company is physically present in all 54 African countries and offers furniture storage services. Gradually, the group is developing records management and heritage digitization activities which offers protection and conservation of historical heritage in the countries where the company operates. In Cameroon, AGS is present through two agencies: one in the economic capital in Douala, which interfaces with the port, and a second in Yaoundé, the administrative capital, where I have been working for the past 18 months.

Can you offer any tips to young graduates who are still hesitating to choose V.I.E?

For a young graduate, it is normal to hesitate to take the first step, but I’d like to encourage them to get out of their comfort zone, to leave for a new country without a landmark. It brings great satisfaction once this step is done. The V.I.E. programme is perfect to go abroad for a few years and have the opportunity of your first professional experience. It allows you to live abroad in excellent conditions and often offers a level of responsibility that has no equivalent in France. In my opinion, it is a real professional and personal springboard. Moreover, volunteers are never left to their own devices. They are usually welcomed by their company, while Business France makes every effort to facilitate their arrival and integrate them into the “network” of volunteers. My interactions with Business France also allowed me to meet interesting personalities and high-level decision-makers whom I can now count into my network.
If you are 28 years or younger, I’d like to urge you to start your V.I.E. journey before it’s too late!

The final word?

I’d like to thank AGS for believing in me, as well as Business France for supporting me so well. If I had to do it again, I would not hesitate for a second.

Read the article on the French Embassy in Cameroon’s website

Promote, an annual international fair for Business, SMEs and partnerships took place in Yaoundé, Cameroon from 16 to 24 February 2019. Nearly 1,000 exhibitors, representing 34 countries and more than 100,000 visitors took part in this multi-sectoral event, which focused on “Business Climate and Sustainable Development of Economy, Energy and Society” this year.

A great platform to share and exchange, Promote offers companies the opportunity to strengthen their image and grow their network, whether with private sector companies or public institutions. Organisations benefit beyond the economy of Cameroon, all countries of Central Africa, in particular the member countries of the CEMAC (Central African Economic and Monetary Community) also benefitted from the influence of Promote.

AGS Cameroon’s booth was stationed at the Pavillon France, which was managed by the Douala Business France office. Two V.I.E. sales representatives, Antoine de Kervern from AGS Codem Yaoundé and Victor Roussel from AGS Douala, worked hard to promote the services of the AGS Group during the eight days. The pair welcomed visitors to the booth and participated in round-table discussions and conferences organised by the European delegation, the US Embassy and EDF, amongst others. They met many customers, diplomats, private individuals and some suppliers of the Cameroonian branches (airline companies, local road carriers, shipping companies, banks, stakeholders on the Douala containers terminal, etc.).

The ‘Pavillon France Day’, inaugurated by the Prime Minister of Cameroon, the Minister of Economy and the French Ambassador, was productive and very informative. After a breakfast organised by the Foreign Trade Advisers of France in Cameroon, French exhibitors welcomed the officials for the ‘Pavillon France’ inauguration and then participated in an information meeting on the V.I.E. programme. The day ended at the residence of the French Ambassador with a networking cocktail event.

Antoine de Kervern and Victor Roussel are now exploring possible opportunities from contacts initiated during the fair. Congratulations to both of them and the teams of AGS Douala and AGS Yaoundé for their excellent work.

The official ceremony took place with a local government official, the Sub-prefect of Douala, Guillaume Dehem, Network Manager of AGS Movers Africa, Hervé Christien, Manager of AGS Movers Cameroon, and Albéric de Colnet, Sales Manager for AGS Movers Cameroon.

The Sub-prefect presented:

• 3 medals to Tchoko Amang (gold for 25 years of service, silver for 15 years service, and vermeil for 10 years of service);
• 2 medals to Monkam Charles Tchouassi (silver and vermeil);
• 2 medals to Léon Hilaire Tchouamo (silver and vermeil) ;
• 2 medals to Maurice Cheumeni (silver and vermeil);
• 2 medals to Maurice Nguimgo (silver and vermeil);
• 1 medal to René Guy Nanga Tsimi (silver).

A toast to the honoured employees closed the ceremony.

Our congratulations to AGS Movers Cameroon’s employees for working with such diligence and care. These staff members have built up a reputation for quality which has made AGS an outstanding mover in Cameroon.

While facing a strong team, AGS FC managed to stand their ground during the first half, before conceding two goals in the second. AGS FC is very motivated and hopes to come back to beat Schlumberger FC at the next game. The congratulations from the opposing team and its coach greatly encouraged AGS FC.

AGS Frasers Cameroon’s AGS FC team will schedule another game soon, and hopefully this time will make the Schlumberger FC players tremble in their boots.

Thank you to everyone who participated in and supported our very own ‘red and white’. We wish AGS FC much success for the future, and we heartily congratulate the Schlumberger FC team.