A change in strategy for Enterprise Qatar
Enterprise Qatar (EQ), a support organisation for the development of SMEs in Qatar announced recently a new initiative called the Government Procurement Contracting Program (GPCP).
This new direction adopted by EQ is to help SMEs secure business through winning tenders. Noora Al Mannai, chief executive of Enterprise Qatar, said 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 more than 200 SMEs in Qatar, we can say with great certainty that competing for tenders represents one of the biggest barriers to growth,” she explained.
Under the new initiative SMEs will have access to a subcontracting and partnership exchange portal where buyers can meet suppliers. HE Sheikh Jassim bin Abdul Aziz Al Thani, minister of business and trade and chairman of EQ noted the benefits of such a portal, saying “The GPCP is a development trend applied in many developed countries like the United States and European Union. Empowering SMEs through the available opportunities through structuring a dynamic comprehensive ecosystem in Qatar would have the greatest impact in achieving the aspired diversified economy.” Other projects under the GPCP include an investment portal that provides information regarding business opportunities, and advisors to help improve success rates with government and large private sector tenders.
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