Ashghal's Taheel initiative a boon to small-scale Qatari contractors

* During 2020 & 2021, five new contracts for Road Improvement projects were awarded to Qatari contractors at a value of QR 129 million The Public Works Authority (Ashghal) on Saturday said in a press statement that the organisation continues to support small-scale Qatari contractors through road improvement works projects within the Small-Scale Qatari Contractors Initiative 'Taheel' launched in 2018, as part of its keenness to provide an appropriate environment for the growth of Qatari companies, and in line with the country’s strategy to support the local Qatari product. Eng. Saoud Al Tamimi, Roads Projects Department Manager in Ashghal, confirmed that Ashghal is keen to implement the country’s approach to rely on national expertise and empowering them, through taking several measures to support the Qatari producer, contractor and consultant, in addition to reducing reliance on foreign companies for the implementation of infrastructure projects. He pointed out that the total value of the nine contracts awarded as part of the initiative reach up to QR 189 Million to date. He also noted that Ashghal is working on awarding four new contracts worth QR 120 million. Eng. Saoud Al Tamimi explained that through road improvement contracts implemented by local Qatari companies, Ashghal provides the opportunity for new investors and contractors to implement small projects, which qualifies them to work on strategic projects in the country and compete in the local market, in preparation for larger projects in the future. It is worth noting that during the years 2020 and 2021, five new road improvement contracts were awarded to Qatari contractors, with a total value of about QR 129 million within the Small-Scale Contractors initiative “Taheel”. Eng. Ali Ashkanani, Head of Northern Areas Section in the Roads Projects Department in Ashghal, stated that Ashghal has qualified many national manufacturers and has given priority to Qatari manufacturers, local products and suppliers to provide the main materials used in infrastructure within Road Improvement projects, by encouraging them and increasing their participation in the projects. For his part, Eng. Fahad Mohammad Al Otaibi, Head of Western Areas Section in the Roads Projects Department in Ashghal, stated that Ashghal supports new contractors by training them and introducing companies to the best practices in projects, especially since Ashghal does not require companies to have previous experience with Ashghal in the roads or road maintenance projects. The scope of work within the Road Improvement projects includes grading of roads, asphalt paving, construction of pedestrian crossings and sidewalks, adjustment of existing manholes or drainage covers, service crossings, as well as the enhancement of traffic safety such as installation of directional signs and road marking. On this occasion, Sheikh Mishaal Al Thani, representative of Turn key Contracting Company, stated that the opportunity to work with Ashghal on various projects in the country would allow the company to gain experience in implementing projects. It will prove our presence in the field at a national level and develop the capabilities and skills of our engineers in a way that qualifies our company to compete in the global market in the future. Therefore, we value Ashghal's efforts in providing this valuable opportunity to small businesses. Mohammed Al-Mana, representative of Group 9 Company, said: “We are pleased with the opportunity to work with Ashghal on a Road Improvement project, which would gain us experience and open an opportunity for us to develop our capabilities. We also count on benefiting from the qualification and training courses offered by Ashghal that prepares our employees and competencies to work according to best practices in project implementation." Ashghal launched the Small-Scale Contractors initiative in January 2018. The initiative aims to develop and support the local Qatari companies and encourage them to participate in roads projects, even if they have no previous experience in this field. The initiative provides the opportunity for these companies to develop and qualify their companies to compete in the local market as well as the global market in the future. It also aims to provide support to new contractors through training them and introducing them to best practices in project implementation. It is worth noting that the value of Road Improvement projects completed within the initiative amounted to QR 60 million, in which four Qatari contracting companies participated. Ahmed Ali Al Mashhadi, representative of Al-Madar Company, expressed his appreciation for Ashghal’s efforts in qualifying small contractors, which is first-of-its-kind in Qatar, by giving the opportunity to phased experience by implementing infrastructure projects, thus qualifying them for major projects in the future. For his part, Ibrahim Al Obaidly, representative of JAK Construction, said: “We thank Ashghal for its continuous support and follow-up for us step by step throughout the project implementation period, which allowed us to gain experience in the field. We would like to particularly praise Ashghal’s cooperation and help in various areas of project implementation such as quality, safety and implementation processes.