Qatari Shell employees in meeting hall

Doha, 2 November 2016 – Twenty-six Qatari Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) have been shortlisted to tender for six business opportunities offered by Qatar Development Bank (QDB) and Qatar Shell. Initially, 43 companies expressed interest to bid and submitted documents for qualifications. In addition, 18 companies submitted formal bids. The successful SMEs will become part of the supply chain for Pearl GTL, the world’s largest gas-to-liquids plant developed in partnership between QatarEnergy and Qatar Shell. The successful SMEs will be announced at an awarding ceremony on December 5th, 2016.

The shortlisted SMEs will tender for the following business opportunities: Compressor Dry Gas Seals Refurbishment and Testing Services; CO and Industrial Gases – Manufacturing; Plastic and Glass Sample Bottles – Manufacturing; White Metal Bearing Refurbishment – Services; Active and Healthy Lifestyle, CSR Program Delivery; and Translation Services.

“We are proud to partner with Qatar Shell to promote the growth and diversification of the national economy through the support of local entrepreneurs and SMEs,” said Bader Shaheen al Kuwari, Business Localization Support Manager at Qatar Development Bank. “QDB is fully committed to providing those SMEs and entrepreneurs with all the management, advisory and financial support that they need as they bid for contracts that will help raise their operating standards to meet global requirements.”

“We are proud and encouraged to see so many Qatari SMEs and entrepreneurs showing interest in joining Qatar Shell’s supply chain. By supporting their development, we are seeking to promote and accelerate the development of the private sector in Qatar, in line with the economic pillar of the Qatar National Vision 2030,” said Amro Ahmed, Qatar Local Content and SME Manager at Qatar Shell.

More than 250 Qatari SMEs and entrepreneurs attended the fourth annual ‘Qatari SME Business Opportunities Workshop’ in May. At the workshop, they were presented with the upcoming tenders and pre-qualification process to compete for the business opportunities on offer.

Since the Local Conent/SME programme began in 2013, Qatar Shell has contracted with 14 Qatari SMEs to become part of Qatar Shell’s supply chain. Last year, seven new business opportunities with an estimated total value of QR15 million were presented to more than 150 local SMEs and entrepreneurs, with six contracts successfully awarded to Qatari businesses.

The ‘Qatari SME Business Opportunities’ initiative is a strategic partnership between QDB and Qatar Shell, aiming to support the Qatar National Vision 2030 by providing local SMEs with access to specific business opportunities within Qatar Shell’s supply chain, and helping them raise their operating standards in order to fulfil global requirements.

For further information about the workshop please visit:

http://smeopp.qdb.qa/

About Qatar Development Bank

Qatar Development Bank (QDB) was established in 1997 as the Qatar Industrial Development Bank, a 100% government-owned developmental organization. Its primary aim was to develop investments within local industries, thereby accelerating growth and economic diversification in Qatar through support for private sector. Between 1997 and 2005, the bank expanded its portfolio, diversifying from its industrial base to include support and guidance for a range of non-industrial sectors identified as key to the development of Qatar. Shortly afterwards, the bank revisited its mission statement to reflect the successful completion of its new strategic objective and changed its name to Qatar Development Bank. The State of Qatar, QDB’s sole shareholder, increased the bank's capital from 200 million to 10 billion riyals in 2008. Since that time, and reflecting the expansion of its mission and financial assets, QDB has launched a considerable number of strategic initiatives and programs, all designed to directly contribute to the economic growth and development of Qatar.

QDB’s strategy is entirely in line with Qatar National Vision 2030. It is focused on promoting and facilitating the growth of the private sector in Qatar within key economic channels. In turn, this support will enable the development of long term, sustainable social and economic benefits across the economy.

Aside from offering financial support, Qatar Development Bank is tasked with promoting entrepreneurship in the private sector, facilitating the development of key economic sectors through the provision of capital and advisory services. QDB has also launched several initiatives, including Al Dhameen program, an indirect loan facility to guarantee commercial bank loans to private sector companies, in collaboration with other banks and financial institutions.

QDB’s export arm “Tasdeer” program was created to develop and promote exports from Qatar, providing export credit guarantees in addition to financial products and solutions designed to mitigate the risks imposed on local exporters. The bank also provides consulting services in business development to help entrepreneurs to prepare for business. This will include feasibility studies, the conduct of market research and the selection of appropriate techniques; fundamentally helping to develop the capabilities of SME owners to enhance and refine their skills in the market and establish strong ties with financial and non-financial support entities.

About Qatar Shell

Shell is the largest international investor in Qatar having invested USD 21 billion over the past decade. QatarEnergy and Shell have jointly delivered two of the largest energy projects in the world in Ras Laffan Industrial City. Pearl Gas to Liquids (GTL) is the world’s largest GTL plant and cements Qatar’s position as the GTL capital of the world. At an investment of up to USD19 billion it represents the largest single investment in the Shell Group’s global portfolio.

The Qatargas 4 Liquefied Natural Gas project (QE (70%) and Shell (30%) combines Shell’s global leadership in LNG with Qatar’s position as the world’s largest LNG supplier.

Shell has established a world-class research and development facility and a learning center, the Qatar Shell Research & Technology Centre, at the Qatar Science & Technology Park. Shell has a financial commitment to invest up to USD100 million on programmes in support of energy and the environment at the Centre over a 10-year period.

Qatar Shell contributes to the objectives of the Qatar National Vision 2030 not only through our economic investments, but also through our investments in national talent and capability development, both internally through the professional development of our Qatari employees, and externally through our extensive Corporate Social Responsibility programme, positively impacting Qatar, in partnership with Qatari institutions.

For more information, please visit: www.shell.com.qa, and to learn how we #ImpactQatar please follow us on Twitter: @Shell_Qatar and Instagram: shellqatar

 

For Media Enquiries

Farah Al-Ali Al-Maadeed
Media Relations Manager
Qatar Shell
Telephone: +974 4495 7415
Email: f.al-maadeed@shell.com