Best logistics solutions for a thriving market
DHL Express Qatar, established in 1979, is riding on the waves of the country’s success and ambitious future projects. Inside Investor talked to Country Manager Nael Attiyat about the company’s achievements and future plans.
Q: Could you give an overview of the streams of goods handled over Qatar?
A: We handle imports to Qatar in six major industries that focus on the development of the country with oil and gas in the lead, both upstream and downstream. This is followed by education, aviation, automotive, construction and military. We regularly notice new brands and new providers within these industries, all competing to be part of this growing market. Additionally, with the increase in growth expected in Qatar over the next 10 years, we also see healthcare as a growth sector. There will be the need for various medical equipment to be imported and exported – from x-ray machines to rubber gloves -, and this will need a well-connected and professional company such as DHL to provide the logistics solutions.
Q: Dubai has positioned itself as a cargo hub for the GCC region. How does Qatar stand out?
A: I think Qatar is just as strategically positioned in the GCC region. With the current expansions in infrastructure and the huge investment in the advanced Cargo Village at the new Hamad International Airport, I see Qatar becoming a major hub in the region. Especially considering the development of the new Logistics City, that aims at making Qatar the transport hub between Europe and Asia.
Q; Have you experienced an uptake in goods shipping in the recent months?
A: Volumes are growing year over year at around 20 per cent. There is also a noticeable growth in internet shopping and personal shipments ordered over the internet.
Q: What do you expect from the FIFA World Cup in 2022 in terms of goods shipping?
A: This will be a huge event, one that brings huge opportunities for every industry in the country, and it will definitely have a positive impact from a shipping perspective. Volumes over this period, we can assume, will grow in double-digit percentage figures. DHL is the world’s leading logistics company with the largest network in the world, and with that we plan to be a main partner and play a strong role in this momentous event.
Q: Has the Qatar government been supportive in terms of logistics infrastructure since you have set up your company?
A: DHL Express has been operating in Qatar since 1979 and has always been strongly supported by the government because we were the first logistics company to start operations here, which allowed us to build a close and strong partnership with customs.
Q: What are the expansion strategies of DHL in the region?
A: We are planning rapid and state-of-the-art expansions. It is no secret that we are investing profoundly in expanding our business in the Middle East with the most recent ground breaking of DHL’s gateway project in Dammam, as well as with investments in Morocco, Egypt and Jordan. Over the 37 years DHL has been operating in the region, the business environment has evolved at a pace matching that of property development, and DHL Express has responded rapidly to fulfil these changing expectations. Today, the company provides a comprehensive time-definite document and parcel delivery service serving 19 countries in the Middle East and North Africa, a vast area which extends from Afghanistan in the East to Mauritania on the Western Coast of Africa. Lastly, technological improvements and developments will continue to progress and you shall see DHL becoming even more efficient and with an even wider network than before.
Q: Will there be more outlets in Qatar after all the new industrial cities have been built?
A: DHL Express currently has 8 service points in and around Doha and will add additional locations in 2013. We are looking to support the requirements of Qatar and its people and as the country grows, DHL Express will grow with it our current service points and offices are strategically located to be most efficient in providing our customers the service they require.
Q: Who are the major cargo partners for DHL in Qatar?
A: We use a combination of commercial uplift and DHL operated planes to find the best possible flight connections that would help us meet our transit time commitments to our customers. We also try to maximise our relationship with Qatar Airways as being a supporter of the country’s airline.
Q: Where do you see DHL Qatar in five years from now?
A: Qatar will be very different in five years’ time, it will grow and expand and our plan is to grow and expand alongside it and stay the number one express logistics provider in the country. We are investing in our people by giving them the training they need to develop their skills and talent with the aim of always being the Employer of Choice. We are investing in our facilities and providing state-of-the-art operational sites, and with regards to a cleaner environment, are upgrading our vehicles to newer models emitting lower CO2-levels and having better fuel consumption therefore staying true to our worldwide ‘GoGreen’ commitment.
[caption id="attachment_6888" align="alignleft" width="187"] Nael Attiyat, Country Manager DHL Qatar[/caption] DHL Express Qatar, established in 1979, is riding on the waves of the country’s success and ambitious future projects. Inside Investor talked to Country Manager Nael Attiyat about the company’s achievements and future plans. Q: Could you give an overview of the streams of goods handled over Qatar? A: We handle imports to Qatar in six major industries that focus on the development of the country with oil and gas in the lead, both upstream and downstream. This is followed by education, aviation, automotive, construction and military. We regularly notice...
DHL Express Qatar, established in 1979, is riding on the waves of the country’s success and ambitious future projects. Inside Investor talked to Country Manager Nael Attiyat about the company’s achievements and future plans.
Q: Could you give an overview of the streams of goods handled over Qatar?
A: We handle imports to Qatar in six major industries that focus on the development of the country with oil and gas in the lead, both upstream and downstream. This is followed by education, aviation, automotive, construction and military. We regularly notice new brands and new providers within these industries, all competing to be part of this growing market. Additionally, with the increase in growth expected in Qatar over the next 10 years, we also see healthcare as a growth sector. There will be the need for various medical equipment to be imported and exported – from x-ray machines to rubber gloves -, and this will need a well-connected and professional company such as DHL to provide the logistics solutions.
Q: Dubai has positioned itself as a cargo hub for the GCC region. How does Qatar stand out?
A: I think Qatar is just as strategically positioned in the GCC region. With the current expansions in infrastructure and the huge investment in the advanced Cargo Village at the new Hamad International Airport, I see Qatar becoming a major hub in the region. Especially considering the development of the new Logistics City, that aims at making Qatar the transport hub between Europe and Asia.
Q; Have you experienced an uptake in goods shipping in the recent months?
A: Volumes are growing year over year at around 20 per cent. There is also a noticeable growth in internet shopping and personal shipments ordered over the internet.
Q: What do you expect from the FIFA World Cup in 2022 in terms of goods shipping?
A: This will be a huge event, one that brings huge opportunities for every industry in the country, and it will definitely have a positive impact from a shipping perspective. Volumes over this period, we can assume, will grow in double-digit percentage figures. DHL is the world’s leading logistics company with the largest network in the world, and with that we plan to be a main partner and play a strong role in this momentous event.
Q: Has the Qatar government been supportive in terms of logistics infrastructure since you have set up your company?
A: DHL Express has been operating in Qatar since 1979 and has always been strongly supported by the government because we were the first logistics company to start operations here, which allowed us to build a close and strong partnership with customs.
Q: What are the expansion strategies of DHL in the region?
A: We are planning rapid and state-of-the-art expansions. It is no secret that we are investing profoundly in expanding our business in the Middle East with the most recent ground breaking of DHL’s gateway project in Dammam, as well as with investments in Morocco, Egypt and Jordan. Over the 37 years DHL has been operating in the region, the business environment has evolved at a pace matching that of property development, and DHL Express has responded rapidly to fulfil these changing expectations. Today, the company provides a comprehensive time-definite document and parcel delivery service serving 19 countries in the Middle East and North Africa, a vast area which extends from Afghanistan in the East to Mauritania on the Western Coast of Africa. Lastly, technological improvements and developments will continue to progress and you shall see DHL becoming even more efficient and with an even wider network than before.
Q: Will there be more outlets in Qatar after all the new industrial cities have been built?
A: DHL Express currently has 8 service points in and around Doha and will add additional locations in 2013. We are looking to support the requirements of Qatar and its people and as the country grows, DHL Express will grow with it our current service points and offices are strategically located to be most efficient in providing our customers the service they require.
Q: Who are the major cargo partners for DHL in Qatar?
A: We use a combination of commercial uplift and DHL operated planes to find the best possible flight connections that would help us meet our transit time commitments to our customers. We also try to maximise our relationship with Qatar Airways as being a supporter of the country’s airline.
Q: Where do you see DHL Qatar in five years from now?
A: Qatar will be very different in five years’ time, it will grow and expand and our plan is to grow and expand alongside it and stay the number one express logistics provider in the country. We are investing in our people by giving them the training they need to develop their skills and talent with the aim of always being the Employer of Choice. We are investing in our facilities and providing state-of-the-art operational sites, and with regards to a cleaner environment, are upgrading our vehicles to newer models emitting lower CO2-levels and having better fuel consumption therefore staying true to our worldwide ‘GoGreen’ commitment.
