Qatar Shell, QDB unveil supply chain prospects for SMEs

Qatar Shell unveiled new supply chain business opportunities for local companies at a workshop it organised along with Qatar Development Bank (QDB). The event was attended by more than 100 participants from various sectors.

The initiative was part of Qatar Shell’s drive to increase the number of small and medium enterprises (SMEs) acting as contracted suppliers for its operations in Qatar. It would pave the way for qualified local companies to become the supplier of choice for Qatar Shell and the Pearl GTL plant.

Earlier this year, an agreement was signed between Qatar Shell and QDB to give local companies and manufacturers access to new business opportunities.

Wael Sawan, managing director and chairman of Qatar Shell Companies, said: “Qatar Shell’s aim is to support the Qatar National Vision 2030 and one area of focus is the development of local content and SMEs, not only through sponsorships but also by providing business opportunities and developing companies to achieve world-class standards to compete with global companies”

Mansour bin Ibrahim al-Mahmoud, CEO of QDB, said: “Qatar Shell not only shares QDB’s aspiration to develop a robust private sector, but has also committed to present a number of business opportunities for local SMEs.”

Participants were presented with four local business opportunities: manufacturing of personal protective equipment, heat exchanger re-tubing for the Pearl GTL plant, manufacturing stud bolts for the plant and translation services. They were also briefed on Qatar Shell’s tendering process, the challenges and opportunities in the SME sector and the financial support made available to them by QDB.

Qatar Shell also signed a memorandum of understanding with Corporate Publishing International (CPI), wherein Qatar Shell will become the lead strategic partner of the Private Sector magazine, the sole SME publication in Qatar that is published by CPI and QDB.