Qatar Shell, along with Qatar Development Bank (QDB), is offering QR70mn contracts this year to local small and medium enterprises (SMEs), which is twice the amount it offered in the past three years put together.
The total value of the six projects announced for 2016 amounts to QR70mn against QR35mn offered in the preceding three years, implying a total of QR105mn worth projects for the local SMEs as Qatar embarks on developing SMEs as part of its diversification strategy.
Since 2013, when Qatar Shell and QDB started the initiative to help SMEs to become part of the supply chain of Pearl GTL (gas to liquids) project; a dozen business opportunities have been offered to local enterprises.
“For the fourth consecutive year, our partnership has played a vital role in bolstering Qatar’s private sector by providing business opportunities for local SMEs as well as to facilitate their access to investment opportunities by helping local manufacturers improve their operating standards to enable them compete internationally,” QDB chief executive Abdul Aziz bin Nasser al-Khalifa told the workshop attended by more than 250 local SMEs.
The new opportunities are in six sectors as Active and Healthy Lifestyle Corporate Social Responsibility Programme with contract duration for five years; CO and inert gas manufacturing (five years); Compressor Dry Gas Seals Refurbishment and Testing Service (five years); White Metal Bearing Refurbishment (five years); Sample Containers manufacturing (five years) and Translation Services (three years).
The prospective entities, which is at least 51% Qatari owned with offices and operations in Qatar and an annual turnover of less than QR100mn, would be eligible to participate in the tender until June 7. Registered SMEs will then be invited for qualification stage by third week of June, and successful entities would be awarded contracts by December.
In 2013, Qatar Shell had awarded three contracts, in 2014, it awarded another five contracts and in 2015, four more local SMEs were added to its supply chain.
QDB will provide funding and business advisory services, access to potential strategic partners and will facilitate links to local regulatory and support institutions.
“We are looking forward to expanding our list of partners in order to bolster the growth of SMEs in Qatar and provide more business opportunities to encourage entrepreneurs to create new SMEs that are built on solid foundation and in accordance with international standards,” al-Khalifa said.
Michiel Kool, managing director and chairman of Qatar Shell Companies, said over the last three years, the local SMEs were shortlisted from many others because they demonstrated excellence and a drive to succeed.
“We believe that QDB and Qatar Shell’s combined strengths and abilities will open new horizons for the private sector in Qatar; and we are committed to offering more business opportunities to an even wider number of local SMEs, as we trust in their ability to add value to our operations in Qatar,” he said.


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