As part of a nationwide strategy to support local small and medium enterprises (SMEs), Qatar Shell, in partnership with Qatar Development Bank (QDB), signed four new contracts with Qatari SMEs.
The four Qatari SMEs that have been awarded contracts include Buzwair Scientific & Technical Gases, for carbon monoxide and industrial gases; Al-Ahed Trading & Contracting Co. Ltd for white metal bearing refurbishment; Second Dimension International Marketing for active and healthy lifestyle CSR programme delivery; and Q-Advice for language translation services. A fifth contract is expected to be awarded shortly.
Amro Ahmed, Qatar Shell’s Commercial Excellence & Local Content and SME Manager, signed the agreements with the CEOs of the Qatari SMEs in the presence of Abdulaziz Bin Nasser Al-Khalifa, CEO of Qatar Development Bank, and Michiel Kool, Managing Director and Chairman of Qatar Shell Companies.
Commenting on the successful initiative, Mr. Al-Khalifa stated, “This initiative is part of QDB’s efforts to facilitate access to local contracts for small and medium businesses, especially with international companies. Our continuing partnership with Qatar Shell provides SMEs with the chance to make a significant impact on their business by joining the Qatar Shell supply chain, and also gives those companies the opportunity to expand regionally and globally.”
Mr. Kool stated, “We are guided by the Qatar National Vision 2030 and want to contribute to the development of the private sector in Qatar. In support of our valued partner Qatar Petroleum, and in close collaboration with QDB, we aim to provide specific opportunities for local SMEs and entrepreneurs. These four contracts show our confidence in the ability of local SMEs to be an active and integral part of the Qatar Shell’s supply chain, and we look forward to helping them grow in the future.”
This is the fourth year of the ‘SME Business Opportunity” resulting in a total of 18 contracts with local SMEs. The total aggregate value of those contracts is estimated at 100mn QR ($27.46mn).
The awarding ceremony is the culmination of a process that began in May when more than 250 Qatari SMEs attended the annual ‘Qatari SME Business Opportunities Workshop”. Forty-three companies expressed an interest to bid, and of those, 26 were invited to tender for six business opportunities on offer with 18 submitting formal bids.
Those awarded contracts have up to 18 months to build their capacity to be able to handle the contracts and cater to Qatar Shell’s required standards. QDB plays an important role by providing the SMEs and entrepreneurs with management, advisory and financial support. As the leading development bank in Qatar with a mandate to support Qatari SMEs, QDB works with its wide network of local partner banks to attract local SMEs to participate in this initiative.
Last year, Qatar Shell and QDB won the Social Development Center’s Reyada ‘Outstanding Entrepreneurial Support’ Award for their role in developing Qatari entrepreneurs and SMEs. The award is in recognition of this successful partnership in developing Qatar’s economy and private sector, as well as delivering sustainable contributions to positively impact Qatar.
