Doha, Qatar 08 January 2013

Enterprise Qatar (EQ), the State's entrepreneurial support body, today announced the first Government Procurement and Contracting Program (GPCP), a groundbreaking initiative that will transform the fortunes of Qatari small and medium size enterprises (SMEs) by drastically improving their ability to win business through tenders.

The GPCP has been designed specifically to fit the needs of the Qatari SME and entrepreneurial ecosystem, making use of findings from EQ's SME Think Tank Seminar, which was held for the first time on May 17, 2012. At the seminar, EQ invited clients and partners to discuss the challenges facing SMEs in Qatar when accessing government tenders, and identified potential solutions that can be delivered by EQ in cooperation with its strategic partners. EQ has categorized the challenges into three main groups: technological; financial; and technical.

Ms. Noora Al-Mannai, CEO of Enterprise Qatar, added that difficulties in competing in the tendering process are one of the biggest challenges facing SMEs in Qatar today. "Having surveyed the needs and challenges of over 200 SMEs in Qatar, we can say with great certainty that competing for tenders represents one of the biggest barriers to growth", she said.

"At EQ our mission is to support entrepreneurs and SMEs turn their ambitions into reality, by optimizing their performance and minimizing the risks where possible. We have designed the Government Procurement and Contracting Program meticulously to ensure that SMEs come away with a firm understanding of best practice in the area of procurement, enhanced knowledge of the requirements of major buyers in the market, and develop new contacts with buyers. Armed with these contacts and knowledge, we expect SMEs to win more business and be more competitive", she added.

Government Procurement and Contracting Program (GPCP) was developed following a number of meetings with governmental and semi-governmental entities and large private sector corporations, including Qatar Petroleum, RasGas, Msheirib, Qatar Foundation for Education, Science and Community Development, Shell Qatar, Total, Asoire, Qatar Rai, Kahramaa, Ashghal, Central Tenders Committee, Qatari Diar and Gulf Organization for Industrial Consulting. As well international best practices have been visited.

Government Procurement and Contracting Program (GPCP) comprised of 11 projects that are classified into four main areas: Enabling SMEs Business Environment; Business Linkage Facilitation; Business Development Services; and facilitate Access to Finance. The breaks down for those groups are as following:

SMEs Enabling Business Environment Projects:

1-   Think Small Project:
This project aims at enhancing the SMEs business environment and provides the playing fields for them to be more favorable for Entrepreneurs and ensure sustainable growth for the existing SMEs. This project introduces some policy options that will be drafted in a SMEs Act that enable SMEs and Entrepreneurs to do business in more favorable business environment.

Access to Information and Business Networking Projects:

2-   Subcontract and Partnership Exchange Center (SPX Qatar):
Subcontracting and Partnership Exchange (SPX Qatar) program aims at facilitates SMEs access to business opportunities through buyers outsourcing and partnerships by operating as a matchmaking mechanism between buyers and suppliers/contractors. The Program SPX operates as a technical information Center for business contacts and promotion of inquiries and opportunities, mainly through the SPX portal.

3-   Government Procurement and contracting Conference:
This conference is first of its kind in Qatar and covers very important and unique sectors that reflect the 2030 vision transforming Qatar to a "knowledge based economy" and achieving economic diversification goal. This project aims at create a forum offering direct contact between buyers and suppliers, facilitating deals and providing information on future projects and tenders suitable for SMEs.

4-    Investment Portal:
It is an e-platform that will help connect Qatari entrepreneurs and investors with foreign investors and technology providers. The portal will also provide all relevant information regarding business opportunities for SMEs in Qatar.

5-    Technology Exchange Conference (TechEx):
An international technological exchange conference, TechEx provides an opportunity for Qatari entrepreneurs and investors to network with international technology providers and experienced investors. The conference hopes to encourage new deals between these parties for use of technology capable of developing existing projects and building new investment possibilities using the latest technology.

Technical Support Projects:
6-    Managerial and Technical Advisory Services (MTAS):

A program developed to help reduce the costs of attaining managerial, technical and accountancy advisory services for SMEs in order to support and encourage their development.

7-     Vendor Incubation Program (VIP):
This program will offer up the services of mentors as advisors to SMEs, advising them on growth and development of their projects and companies and improving their success rate with government and large private sector tenders.

8-     Rating and Accreditation:
This program will evaluate SMEs for the purpose of growth and development, using international rating and accreditation standards. Participants will receive accreditation once they have completed necessary development pre-requisites.

9-    Business Opportunity Mapping (BOM):
This project aims at providing a detailed analysis of sectors and supply chain in Qatar to map out business opportunities in Qatar that could be acquired by SMEs.

Financial Aid Projects:
10-   Surety Bond Guarantee Program:
This project aims at minimizing the financial the SMEs incurred to bid for tenders and free their cash for operations it is mainly for minimize the negative impacts of cash freezing for tender bonds, performance bonds and late payments for SMEs.

11-   Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV):
A program developed with the aim of providing an intermediary whose main purpose is to risk-share and insure an SME, increasing the probability of winning tenders.

Enterprise Qatar
Enterprise Qatar (EQ) was established to create a supportive business environment for small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in Qatar - enhancing successes and reducing risks. Its stakeholders are government and private sector organizations and nongovernment organization entities.

EQ aims to contribute to the goals of Qatar National Vision 2030 with a flourishing SME sector as the backbone of a dynamic, diversified and expanding economy. In this vision, business owners and entrepreneurs are vital to the nation as generators of affluence and opportunity. As Qatar values and respects future businesspeople, so today we must provide them with easy, affordable access to the support they need to make their intentions into reality.

To achieve this, EQ offers a full range of world-class services delivered in partnership with Qatar's leading educational institutions and recognized experts to provide guidance and resources in business administration and financial facilities, influence on regulatory policy, learning and development opportunities, research, and strategy for innovative business.

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© Press Release 2013