The Qualification of Small-Scale Contractors Initiative by the Public Works Authority (Ashghal) is turning out to be an ideal way to ensure material availability while it has helped local companies get the best environment to grow in Qatar. 
Better known as Ta’heel, the initiative has helped Ashghal to make use of products by Qatari and Turkish companies for various works. It has enabled these companies become part of development projects including building construction, grading works, road pavement, drainage facility, construction of pedestrian lanes and works to enhance traffic safety. 
According to the latest figures with Ashghal, Ta’heel initiative certified products by 107 manufacturers while a total of 152 contractors were qualified. The initiative also helped 16 Turkish companies become part of development projects by Ashghal. 
Ashghal and Qatar Development Bank (QDB) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on July, 25, 2017, to activate Ta’heel. The initiative was launched as part of the second edition of QDB's forum Buy National Product that was aimed to encourage Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) to expand their local business in different industry sectors.
The qualified products include fire fighting equipment, pipes and accessories, ready mix concrete, air handling units, aluminium profiles, autoclaved aerated concrete, cable management system, cables and accessories, cement, waterproof membrane and liquid, welding rods, GRP pipes, traffic signs and traffic flow devices. 
In January, 2018, five projects that include Roads Improvement Works (RIW) were announced for small-scale contractors. The projects included works in various areas of Great Doha, Al Rayyan Municipality, Al Shamal, Al Khor and Al Thakhira. In December, 2018, Ashghal signed four contracts for road improvement projects at a total value of about QR59mn. Two contracts for drainage projects worth more than QR620mn were also signed. On April 23, 2019, tender of four contracts for road improvement projects at a total value of about QR100mn was announced by Ashghal. 
The scheme allows these companies to participate in projects even if they have no previous experience in the field. The initiative is also aimed at imparting training to the new contractors and introducing them to the best practices in project implementation. To get qualified, the companies need to complete the registration process through Ashghal’s website and meet certain prescribed requirements in terms of quality. 
Ashghal has also plans to launch few more projects that will be implemented with the participation of local companies as part of its efforts to ensure the involvement of the private sector and increase investments in the implementation of public sector projects.