Today, we are pleased to present our interview with Mr. Jigar Shah, Director of JSL GLOBAL WLL, Qatar which has been an OPCA member since 08 July 2020 and was the Platinum Sponsor of OPCA Online One-to-One Meeting 2021.

It was such a great pleasure for us to connect with Mr. Jigar Shah and get to know more about JSL GLOBAL WLL, Qatar.

1. When and how did you (Mr. Jigar Shah) get into the freight forwarding industry?

During my Post Graduation, I was keen on Export-Import industry. When I started my internship at a local customs broker firm in India, I got passionate for shipping and decided to join the industry.

2. Can you tell us a little bit more about the JSL GLOBAL (Qatar) history and experience in the market?

JSL Global – Jassim Shipping & Logistics is a WLL company registered in Qatar  and is affiliated to Jassim Brothers Group. Considering the phenomenal growth in hydrocarbon sector, as well as, the huge infrastructure projects planned in Qatar for FIFA 2022, Jassim Custom & Freight Division’s Managing Director – Mr. Mansour Ghanem thought to have a separate division to cater all their existing and prospective clients in niche logistics verticals apart from customs brokerage. JSL Global was established in 2012 in Doha-Qatar.

3. Which services do you offer?

JSL Global is one of the few companies in Qatar having dedicated customs brokerage team, own fleet of trucks/trailers, trading license, Free Zone Warehouse & open yard and NVOCC license to cater multiple requirements of different industries. Considering the long run reputation of our group company - Jassim Customs - JSL is servicing niche clientele in the field of Chemical Logistics & Project Logistics.

4.What distinguishes JSL GLOBAL (Qatar) from other freight forwarders in your country, Qatar?

Special transport is always a lucrative vertical in Qatar. There is competition and the market is now matured enough but clients always look for one stop solution service providers for their heavy lift projects. JSL Global differentiates to competition as we have our own fleet of trucks, own Customs Brokerage team, Experienced Project Division which guides clients over customs compliance and temporary import - re-export matters, project planning and feasibility consultancy and most importantly, our capability to handle turn-key solutions through OPCA global partners.

5. Which markets JSL GLOBAL (Qatar) operates more frequently, and which ones are you working to increase the market participation?

JSL Global provide logistics support for the construction of new plants or the reconstruction of older ones for the needs of the chemical industry, power plants and oil and gas industries. We are also engaged into logistics support to Qatar’s upcoming projects  like NFE (North Field Expansion) & ongoing FIFA Stadiums and power and desalination plant in Qatar.

6. In your opinion, what does the freight forwarders industry lack? How would you think it should improve?

As companies around the globe turned to technology to improve freight management, freight forwarders have faced a tougher challenge in gaining and retaining customers. Its high time, most freight forwarder will shift their legacy system in line with E-Quote & online visibility integrating their system with airline/shipping line/port & customs.

Yet the freight forwarding role doesn’t go away just by using an online platform. You still have to have a freight forwarder doing the work behind the scenes, arranging the ocean freight, trucking, and customs clearance. The online software companies are the front end, the customer-facing software to make the process easier, but the freight forwarders are still in the background.

7. Why is it important to be a part of a logistics network? How has been your experience with the OPCA so far?

OPCA network was new to me until I attended Abu Dhabi meeting couple of years back. But after meeting OPCA management and OPCA partner, we found the group as WIN/WIN proposition for all partners. I can say that such specialized niche network always connects likeminded professionals.

For any inquiries from/to Qatar, please feel free to contact JSL GLOBAL on projects@jsl-global.net or visit www.jsl-global.net

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