HE al-Sada, Kool and al-Khalifa with the representative of Cooper and Turner, one of the deal-winning local SMEs.

By Santhosh V Perumal
Business Reporter

Qatar Shell, in partnership with Qatar Development Bank (QDB), has awarded long-term contracts worth QR15mn to six new local small and medium enterprises (SMEs) as part of their nationwide strategy to support the SME sector.
Four new local SMEs were awarded deals to become the supplier of choice for Pearl GTL, the world’s largest gas-to-liquids plant delivered by Qatar Petroleum (QP) and Qatar Shell. In addition, two more SMEs were awarded contracts with Qatar Shell.
The six Qatari SMEs that have been awarded contracts are: Cooper and Turner for the manufacturing of stud bolts (for three years); Fouj Café for the provision of cafeteria and catering services for staff and events (three years); Digital Print Centre for the manufacturing of safety boards and electric labels (two years); Inspection Technology (I-Tech) for the supply of onsite welding inspection services (three years); Chubb Fire, International Gulf Trading for the manufacturing and maintenance of fire extinguishers (five years); and Social Media Solutions for the management of Qatar Shell’s social media platforms (two years).
The contracts were signed by Amro Ahmed, local content and SME manager of Qatar Shell with the chief executives of the Qatari SMEs in the presence of HE the Minister of Energy and Industry Dr Mohamed bin Saleh al-Sada, Qatar Shell chairman and managing director Michiel Kool and QDB chief executive Abdulaziz bin Nasser al-Khalifa.
“Local SMEs by acquiring contracts have the potential to elevate their future, while global companies and their customers get the services they need from a local supplier, which reduces supply chain risk and provides quality assurance,” according to al-Khalifa.
He said the addition of six new Qatari SMEs to the eight local suppliers awarded deals in 2013 and 2014 is a clear demonstration of QDB’s successful partnership with Qatar Shell to bolster a robust private sector in Qatar.
At least 51% Qatari-owned, with headquarters in Qatar, and SMEs must have an annual turnover of less than QR100mn, according to the criteria set by both QDB and Qatar Shell.
The tender was opened to local SMEs in July this year and a total of 60 SMEs registered their interest by the end of June after the announcement of seven specific Pearl GTL supply chain business opportunities. More than 30 SMEs were subsequently invited for the tender.
Highlighting that it will provide funding and business advisory services, access to potential strategic partners and will facilitate links to local regulatory and support institutions, QDB said through this, it will accelerate the development of Qatar’s private sector by broadening the horizons of local entities.
The annual ‘SME Business Opportunity’ initiative has been growing year on year. In 2014, 110 local entrepreneurs participated in the workshop’ of which 33 SMEs were qualified to tender, and five were awarded with contracts. This is in comparison to 2013, when only 10 local SMEs were qualified to participate in the tender process that resulted in the awarding of three contracts, all of which are currently performing well.