N E W A FFI L I ATE STANDING FIRM DESPITE CHALLENGES What are the biggest opportunities for growth? The logistics sector has been one of the most severely aected with limited cargo movements due to lockdown of multiple countries during the pandemic. However, COVID-19 has increased the importance to all industries of digitising services. Living with this crisis has created an opportunity for growth in autonomous services to customers. New technologies mean information can be gathered and used in the best possible ways. Masked Tokyo Freight Services sta alongside some of the companys fleet What is your companys business ethos? As an organisation, we are accountable for our actions and believe in being accurate and fast while engaging with our customers. Our company is continuously growing in size, facilities and services, while remaining small enough for executive decisions to be made quickly. A country full of expats is an attractive base for any relocation company; however, changing market dynamics was making business in Qatar challenging even before COVID-19. But, with a focus on quality typified by its recent FAIM certification and the 2022 Qatari World Cup, Tokyo Freight Services is optimistic about its future RECHELL MEJOC, HEAD OF OFFICE ADMINISTRATION AND HUMAN RESOUCES AT TOKYO FRIEGHT SERVICES 74 FF300 DecJan21 pp74 New Affiliate.indd 74 What are the characteristics of your local market? Qatars population comprises more than 85 per cent expats or foreign workers from all over the world, who entered the country to work for a local company or international firm, or because they are investors. All expats legally employed here are bound by an employment agreement either with a pre-determined service duration, or an open contract agreed between the employer and employee. Because of this, Qatar is a promising market for a moving business there is always a potential business here. How has your countrys moving industry evolved over the past 10 years? Over the years, the volume of moving jobs our company handles have shown a declining return. These changes can be attributed to two factors. First, there has been an influx of newly established moving companies with international brand names. Second, housing facilities in Qatar are increasingly equipped with the necessary furnishing, so an expat no longer needs to bring their entire household furniture while moving here. To compete in this market, it is imperative for a moving company not only to have a strong sales and marketing strategy, but also ecient services and costeective operations. What are your main strengths? We are committed to providing one-stop logistical solution to all our customers with a wide range of services. Having our own customs brokerage licence with more than 30 licensed agents/brokers who work 24/7 in port terminals guarantees the speedy releases of both inbound and outbound shipments. We deliver goods using our own fleet of vehicles and have multiple warehouses where we can oer competitive and flexible storage arrangements. Why did you decide to join FIDI? Joining FIDI has always been the goal of Abdulla Moideen, the owner and Managing Director of Tokyo Freight Services. With the ongoing interest of Abdul Rauf, his son, the current General Manager of the company, and the eorts of the team that worked tirelessly in the process, Tokyo Freight Services finally became a FAIM-certified company this year [2020]. Being aliated to FIDI Global Alliance is the highest attainment a moving company can achieve while in the industry, and it increases the opportunity for good business. How did you find the FAIM process? It is very extensive, yet very systematic. FIDI personnel were very straightforward, helpful, and supportive all throughout the process, which made it easier for us to understand and comply with all the FAIM requirements. What are the future challenges for your business? The health crisis has brought many uncertainties in the industry. However, we believe that ecient riskassessment practices, resilience and, most importantly, prompt services are key factors to combat these challenges. We are hopeful that the World Cup in 2022 will outweigh this years unprecedented blows. WWW. F I D I FOC U S . OR G 24/11/2020 11:45