Doha: Monday, January 18, 2016

Qatar Development Bank announced the first Government Procurement and Contracting Conference & Exhibition 'MOUSHTARAYAT', which is scheduled to take place for 3 days, beginning on March 8 and ends on March 10, during a press conference held on Monday, January 18, 2016 at the headquarters of Qatar Development Bank.

The Government Procurement and Contracting Conference & Exhibition 'MOUSHTARAYAT,' aims to open new opportunities for interaction between local SMEs and the most important stakeholders, in addition to strengthening cooperation between the private and public sector companies in Qatar.

For his part, Mr. Abdulaziz Bin Nasser Al-Khalifa, CEO of Qatar Development Bank, said: "One of the most important initiatives we commit ourselves to at Qatar Development is supporting and helping SMEs. As we open local and global markets to SMEs through 'Tasdeer,' and with the help of the Ministry of Finance, we provide greater accessibility to government procurement by linking local SMEs to procurement of major buyers, through match-making activities & B2B meetings and exploring key efforts to minimize barriers to success, along with having a friendly business environment that leads to the positive growth of local SMEs."

Al-Khalifa added; "Qatar Development Bank will launch a workshop for the buyers to support local SMEs access to local government, semi-government, and large privates procurement businesses."

The exhibition is expected to bring significant achievements for all parties, where SMEs will be able to identify the existing opportunities and open new markets through their presence. Local buyers will also benefit from gaining more knowledge and establishing better dialogue with prominent buyers and suppliers. QDB's efforts will help enhance SMEs market positions both technically and financially by assisting to localize supply chains.

Mr. Abdulaziz Zeid Rashid Al Taleb, Director of Government Procurement Regulation at the Ministry of Finance said; "Through successive legislation, Qatar aims to support entities and national institutions especially SMEs. A good example of this includes the 2015 Law No. (24) regarding 'Organizing Tenders and Auctions.' The law stresses the ambitious economic development plan and how Qatar has developed several roles to increase the job opportunities SMEs create in the local market. There a number of new policies to positively impact SMEs including exemption, in whole or in part, to providing temporary and final insurance and guarantee payments in coordination with Qatar Development Bank. Also, bidders can apply tenders online to help with applications with technical specifications. Supporting the freedom of competition principle, the law also allows registered companies to partner on government tenders. And last but not least, the enforcement foreign companies implementing national projects are to use local market resource to the value of 30% of the contract."

Through the exhibition, Qatar Development Bank is trying to develop new supporting methods to apply sustainable government procurement. QDB also aims at helping SMEs commit to their goals and requirements, in order to support and strengthen the role of local small and medium enterprises, in line with the Qatar National Vision 2030.

-Ends-

About Qatar Development Bank (QDB)
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 in 2006, the bank revisited its mission statement to reflect the successful completion of its new strategic objective and changed its name to Qatar Development Bank. In 2008, 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.

For more information, please contact
Mohammed Mamdouh
Grayling
Mob: Mohammed.Mamdouh@grayling.com
Email: +97450176155

© Press Release 2016