Ashghal launches Ta’heel initiative to qualify Qatari manufacturers

The Public Works Authority ‘Ashghal’ has announced the launch of the ‘Ta’heel’ initiative in partnership and cooperation with Qatar Development Bank (QDB) to qualify and accredit Qatari factories.

The new approach gives the factories an opportunity to participate in the implementation of Ashghal’s programmes and projects, through enlistment of Qatari manufacturers in the authority’s approved supply chain, in addition to  accrediting local industrial products that meet the technical requirements, specifications, and the standard quality levels.

Ashghal has adopted an effective and accessible procedure to enlist, qualify, and accredit national factories. These factories get qualified within three weeks of submitting the application to Ashghal if they meet the technical requirements in terms of required quality factors and levels. The initiative aims as well at relying on Qatari capacities, resources, industries and human resources, in addition to encouraging new national investors to devote their investments in establishing new factories that contribute to the needs of the state projects being implemented by Ashghal and other entities.

The Public Works Authority and Qatar Development Bank (QDB) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) today, Tuesday 25 July 2017, to activate the "Ta’heel" initiative, as part of the second edition of Qatar Development Bank's forum "Buy National Product", which aims to encourage SMEs to expand their local business in different Industry sectors. The MoU was signed by H.E. Eng. Saad bin Ahmad Al Muhannadi, President of the Public Works Authority, and Mr. Abdulaziz bin Nasser Al-Khalifa, CEO of Qatar Development Bank. Eng. Ahmed Ali Al Ansari, the Technical Office Manager in Ashghal gave a presentation about the initiative and how the factories can submit their applications and register for the initiative.

H.E. Dr. Eng. Saad bin Ahmed Al Muhannadi, President of the Public Works Authority, said that the authority is working hard to meet the requirements of the next phase in accordance with the priorities set by His Highness Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, Emir of Qatar, during his speech about the current situation and Qatar’s future directions, with regards to maximising the reliance on our national resources and capabilities, achieving self-sufficiency in all fields and relying on Qatari resources and human potentials.

He added: “Through ‘Ta’heel’ initiative, Ashghal, in partnership with Qatar Development Bank, intends to accredit national factories and provide Qatari manufacturers with the opportunity to participate in the implementation of Ashghal’s existing and future construction and engineering programmes and projects. This is in addition to attracting new national investors to contribute in the country's projects depending on the Qatari capabilities, resources, industries and human resources, in order to achieve the vision of His Highness the Emir”.

From his side Mr. Abdul -Aziz Bin Nasser Al-Khalifa, Chief Executive Officer of Qatar Development Bank, said: "The Bank, in cooperation with Ashghal, is supporting the small and medium enterprises (SMEs) to reach the required level to be enlisted to the supply chain accredited by Ashghal. The role of QDB is to empower the SME sector and enhance its competitive advantage to participate effectively in realizing Qatar National Vision 2030. He explained that QDB is working through the initiative to provide the necessary consultancy services to enable these factories, through feasibility studies, legal services, auditing and accounting services, marketing and public relations services, as well as training, development and qualification to obtain the ISO 9001.

It is noteworthy that through the QDB initiative in the (Moushtarayat 1) in 2016 and (Moushtarayat 2) in 2017, the bank has successfully introduced several Qatari factories into the list of local suppliers for the government and local factories. One of QDB’s major successes has also been the introduction of local suppliers to Shell Qatar since 2011. Through "Ta’heel" initiative, the Public Works Authority provides the national factories with the lists of the materials used in Ashghal's infrastructure projects, as well as their approved specifications and the required quantities. 

In collaboration with Qatar Development Bank, Ashghal contributes in developing the Qatari manufacturers’ capabilities and re-qualifying them if they failed to meet the requirements of listing, through workshops, facilitation and guidance. This would be in addition to conducting training courses that qualify them to produce raw materials that can contribute to the implementation of the state projects, according to the highest specifications.

The registration procedure for Qatari factories in “Ta’heel” initiative, can be done through the website of the Public Works Authority www.ashghal.gov.qa or directly through the initiative page on the website www.ashghal.gov.qa/taaheel. The applicant factories can upload the application and fill in the required data and then attach it with the required documents and send it to the “Ta’heel” e-mail address taaheel@ashghal.gov.qa.

As soon as the results of the accreditation are confirmed, the factory will obtain the certificate of accreditation from the Public Works Authority ‘Ashghal’ as an approved Qatari factory producing raw materials used in various projects. Ashghal will also periodically review the approved industrial factories to ensure their constant compliance with the specifications and requirements.