Ashghal holds meeting for small scale contracting firms

Ashghal has organised a meeting with small-scale contracting companies to introduce details of tenders for new road improvement projects.The meeting came as part of the “Qualification of Small-Scale Contractors” initiative, launched by Ashghal earlier this year with an aim to provide the opportunity for local investors in the contracting industry to execute small projects that qualify them to work on the country’s strategic projects in the future.Speaking at the meeting, Roads Projects Department manager and senior engineer Saoud al-Tamimi said the initiative is focused on road improvement works in various areas.It aims to involve small local contractors and investors, who have never worked with Ashghal in this field, in the implementation of a number of small projects.“This will help achieve competitive advantage, develop the national economy, and raise the level and quality of these projects,” said the official.One of the most important conditions for tendering and application is that the applicant company is Qatari and classified by the Procurement Department in the Ministry of Finance. Previous experience in implementing infrastructure projects with Ashghal is not required.The projects include road improvement works in various areas in Greater Doha (Phase 6 A) in Doha Municipality, road improvement works in Al Rayyan (Phase 6 A), road improvement works in Northern areas (Phase 3 A) in Al Shamal and Al Khor, and Al Thakhira Municipalities, as well as road improvement works in the South of Greater Doha (areas 90 to 95 – 6 A) in Al Wakrah Municipality. This is in addition to the road improvement works in Al Daayen and Umm Slal Municipality.Roads Projects Department assistant manager engineer Salem al-Shawi said the initiative aims to encourage the support of national entities for the new Qatari companies to participate in roads projects and contribute effectively to the local economy and facing future challenges.On the other hand, Ashghal will provide the support through training and introducing the companies to best practices in projects, he said.The initiative is contributing to reduce the dependence on foreign contracting companies, as part of several measures taken by the authority aimed at supporting Qatari producers, contractors and consultants, and qualifying them for competition in the local market and the international market in the future.