Four more domestic SMEs join Qatar Shell global supply chain

Four more Qatari small and medium enterprises (SMEs) have now become part of the Qatar Shell’s global supply chain, which ought to augur well for the private sector in the days to come.
The SMEs – Buzwair Scientific and Technical Gases (BSTG), Al-Ahed Trading and Contracting Company (AATC), Second Dimension International Marketing (SDIM) and Q-Advice – have been awarded contracts for varying duration by Qatar Shell in association with Qatar Development Bank (QDB).
BSTG’s five-year contract is for carbon monoxide and industrial gases; AATC’s five-year contract is for white metal bearing refurbishment; SDIM’s five-year contract is for active and healthy lifestyle corporate social responsibility (CSR) programme delivery, while Q-Advice’s three-year contract is for language translation services.
A fifth contract, for compressor dry gas seals refurbishment and testing services, will be announced at a later date, officials said,
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 QR100mn.
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.
Amro Ahmed, Qatar Shell’s commercial excellence and local content and SME Manager, signed the agreements with the chief executives of the Qatari SMEs in the presence of Abdulaziz bin Nasser al-Khalifa, chief executive of QDB and Michiel Kool, managing director and chairman of Qatar Shell Companies.
“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,” al-Khalifa said.
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 interest to bid, and of those, 26 were invited to tender for six business opportunities on offer with 18 submitting formal bids.
“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,” Kool said.
These four contracts show Qatar Shell’s confidence in the ability of local SMEs to be an active and integral part of its supply chain, and “we look forward to helping them grow in the future”, according to him.
Founded in 2009, BSTG – a member of the European Industrial Gases Association and a founding member of the Middle East Gases Association – has a product portfolio covering traditional laboratory ultra-high-purity carrier and calibration gases for a wide range of environmental, food and beverage, oil industry, and other chemical and petrochemical industries, as well as accessories and after-sales support.
AATC, founded in 1995, offers a wide range of services to the oil, gas and energy industries, including in petrochemical, fertiliser, water desalination and sewage treatment plants, as well as refineries.
SDIM opened its Doha office in 2010 as part of the Dallah Group. As the regional office of the Canada-based international firm, it focuses on several sectors, including sports and experiential marketing, concept creating, evaluation and contract negotiation, athlete and property management, grassroots and schools programmes, live event production and promotion, cause marketing, custom applications, and CSR.
The 10-year-old Q Advice Group specialises in a number of business solutions, including total business management, project management, public relations services, sponsorship and agency representation, and marketing services.