Doha, Qatar- 28 February 2016

In line with its support of the Qatar National Vision 2030  to promote the development of the private sector, Qatar Shell has supported the '3rd Entrepreneurship in Economic Development Forum' for the second consecutive year.

The Forum, which  is under the patronage of His Excellency Sheikh Abdullah bin Nasser bin Khalifa Al Thani - Prime Minister, will be held on 7-8 March 2016 in Doha.  The event is expected to attract hundreds of entrepreneurs locally, regionally and internationally, from business leaders, banks and specialized financial organisations to economists, academics and major public and private institutions.

 Michiel Kool, Managing Director and Chairman of Qatar Shell companies, said: "We are honored to contribute to the 'Entrepreneurship in Economic Development Forum' again this year. This event is in line with our mission to support the development of a robust private sector that will help diversify Qatar's economy."

"We are achieving this through our Corporate Social Responsibility programmes; on the one hand, we support existing Qatari SMEs and encourage them to join our in-country supply chain through our strategic partnership with QDB; on the other hand we seek to inspire the spirit of Entrepreneurship in young people through our partnership with Bedaya," he added.

During the 3rd Entrepreneurship in Economic Development Forum, Qatar Shell will highlight its increasing support to existing local SMEs in recent years owing to its successful partnership with QDB.  Since 2013, Qatar Shell has presented over 500 SMEs with 19 business opportunities. The SMEs who expressed interest then followed Shell's pre-qualification process, and those who pre-qualified were invited to tender. Shell then assessed the bids from a technical and commercial perspective.

Over the three years, a total of 150 local SMEs have registered their interest. More than 90 SMEs were subsequently invited to tender, and 14 local SMEs have been awarded with contracts with an aggregate value of USD 20 million.  The awarded local SMEs are also given a period of up to 18-months to build their capability to be able handle the contract to meet Shell's HSSE and operating standards. Qatar Shell also provides them with ongoing and sustained support and guidance.

During the Forum, Qatar Shell's Local Content Manager, Amro Ahmed  will give a key presentation on how companies can apply to Shell's tendering process to  become suppliers of choice to Pearl GTL, the world's largest gas to liquids plant delivered by Qatar Petroleum and Qatar Shell. The presentation will be part of Qatar Shell's efforts to encourage local SMEs to bid and win contracts with Pearl GTL in 2016.

In addition to its efforts to support existing local SMEs, Qatar Shell seeks to inspire young Qataris to consider entrepreneurship as a career option.

In 2012, Bedaya and Qatar Shell joined hands to launch "The Enterprise Challenge Qatar," an annual business simulation and learning competition that gives school and university students in Qatar a first taste of the excitement of entrepreneurship.

Going from strength to strength since its inception, the Enterprise Challenge Qatar saw participation from more than 1400 students from 14 schools and 13 universities across Qatar. The students were also coached by over 120 mentors, the majority of whom are Qataris, who volunteered their valuable time to share their personal insights and offer constructive advice about entrepreneurship. 

To know more about Qatar Shell's tendering process and qualification requirements please visit: Qatar.Shell.Vendors@shell.com

-Ends-

About Qatar Shell
Shell is the largest international investor in Qatar having invested USD 21 billion over the past decade. Qatar Petroleum and Shell have jointly delivered two of the largest energy projects in the world in Ras Laffan Industrial City. Pearl Gas to Liquids (GTL) is the world's largest GTL plant and cements Qatar's position as the GTL capital of the world. At an investment of up to USD19 billion it represents the largest single investment in the Shell Group's global portfolio.

The Qatargas 4 Liquefied Natural Gas project (QP (70%) and Shell (30%) combines Shell's global leadership in LNG with Qatar's position as the world's largest LNG supplier.

Shell has established a world-class research and development facility and a learning centre, the Qatar Shell Research & Technology Centre, at the Qatar Science & Technology Park. Shell has a financial commitment to invest up to USD100 million on programmes in support of energy and the environment at the Centre over a 10-year period.

Qatar Shell contributes to the objectives of the Qatar National Vision 2030 not only through our economic investments, but also through our investments in national talent and capability development, both internally through the professional development of our Qatari employees, and externally through our extensive Corporate Social Responsibility programme, positively impacting Qatar, in partnership with Qatari institutions.

For more information please visit: www.shell.com.qa, and to learn how we #ImpactQatar please follow us on Twitter: @Shell_Qatar and Instagram: shellqatar

For Media Enquiries
Farah Al-Ali Al-Maadeed 
Media Relations Manager
Qatar Shell
Telephone: +974 4495 7415 
Email: f.al-maadeed@shell.com 

© Press Release 2016