Doha – Nashat Amin:
Economists, businessmen and lawyers praised the Minister of Finance’s decision to raise the ceiling on exemptions granted to micro, small and medium-sized companies from one million riyals to five million riyals. They said: The decision recently published in the Official Gazette would give these companies greater ability to enter competition in government tenders and contracts worth up to five million riyals. This practically means increasing the volume of opportunities available to these companies, after some contracts exceeded their financial or organizational capacity under the previous ceiling.
They told Al-Raya: The exemptions associated with tender procedures – such as fees or some financial requirements – represented a relative burden on small companies. As the ceiling is raised, a broader segment of these companies will benefit from reducing the costs associated with participating in tenders, which improves their liquidity and ability to expand.
They noted that among the many positives of the decision is that it will enhance the role of this sector in the national economy by enabling it to obtain relatively larger government contracts. This may be reflected in increasing the business volume of these companies, increasing their ability to grow, expand, and developing their operational expertise. Moreover, allowing a larger number of small and medium-sized companies to enter government tenders would create a more diverse competitive environment, which may push these companies to develop their products and services and improve the quality of their performance to win contracts. They believed that the decision would also contribute to enabling small and medium-sized companies to access larger contracts that would contribute to the revitalization of multiple economic sectors and enhance the role of the private sector in implementing projects and services, which is in line with economic policies that support diversification of the economy. They expected that the decision would lead to an increase in the number of small companies participating in government projects, which may reduce the dominance of large companies over some small and medium-sized contracts, and create a greater balance in the distribution of opportunities.
D. Abdullah Al Khater: Stimulating the national economy and creating a competitive environment
The economic expert, Dr., confirmed Abdullah Al Khater said that the decision to raise the exemption limit granted to small and medium-sized companies from one million riyals to five million riyals represents an important strategic step to enhance the role of this vital sector and enable it to expand and compete in the local market.
He explained that the decision would contribute to alleviating the financial burdens associated with entering tenders, especially with regard to providing bank guarantees, which were a major obstacle for many companies, as a result of the limited liquidity of those companies. He pointed out that the requirement to provide high financial guarantees was preventing these companies from being able to apply for large projects, despite possessing the necessary competence and experience.
He explained that raising the exemption ceiling allows small and medium-sized companies to enter into projects worth up to five million riyals without the need to freeze large sums of money in the form of guarantees, which gives them greater flexibility in managing their financial resources and directing them towards operation and expansion. He added: This trend reflects the keenness of the concerned authorities to support national companies and enhance their participation in implementing projects, which contributes to revitalizing the national economy and creating a more balanced competitive environment. The decision also opens the way for these companies to gradually grow and enter into larger projects during the coming stages. He stressed that supporting the SME sector is not only reflected in the performance of the companies themselves, but rather its impact extends to include the economy as a whole, by increasing employment rates, stimulating investment, and enhancing economic sustainability.
Hamad Rashid Al Suwaidi: Increasing the participation of small companies in government projects
Mr. Hamad Rashid Al Suwaidi, CEO of Elite Factory, praised the decision of the Minister of Finance to amend the amounts of exemptions for small and medium companies from one million riyals to 5 million riyals, stressing that this decision will reflect positively on small and medium companies in several aspects, including that it will contribute to increasing the number of small companies participating in government projects, which may reduce the dominance of large companies over some small and medium contracts, and create a greater balance in the distribution of opportunities. He believed that enabling small and medium companies to access larger contracts would contribute to revitalizing sectors. Multi-economic, and enhances the role of the private sector in implementing projects and services, which is in line with economic policies that support the diversification of the economy. He considered that the decision represents a supportive regulatory step for the micro, small and medium enterprises sector, as it expands the scope of their benefit from government contracts, and eases the financial restrictions that limited their participation, thus enhancing their contribution to economic activity and giving them more room for growth and sustainability.
Calling for providing more facilities to small and medium-sized companies in order to participate more in the economic process. He stressed that such types of decisions would create a more diverse competitive environment, which might push small and medium-sized companies to develop their products and services and improve the quality of their performance to win contracts.
Dr. confirmed. Juma Al-Kaabi, the lawyer, said that Article (108 bis): of the executive regulations of the “Law Regulating Tenders and Auctions,” which was recently amended through a decision of the Minister of Finance published in the Official Gazette two days ago, previously stipulated, “For tenders whose value is less than one million riyals, national micro-companies are exempted from providing temporary and final insurance.”
Micro, small and medium companies are exempted from paying the value of tender documents whose value is less than one million riyals, and micro and small companies pay half the value of the prescribed fee for classification. The identification of micro, small and medium-sized companies shall be in accordance with the provisions of the aforementioned Resolution of the Minister of Economy and Trade No. (250) of 2018.
He considered that the Minister of Finance’s Decision No. (9) of 2026, amending this article of the regulations, raising the ceiling of exemptions granted to micro, small and medium companies to 5 million Qatari riyals, instead of 1 million riyals previously, is a clear indication of the state’s direction towards supporting the business environment and enhancing the role of national companies, especially in light of the challenges that this category of companies may face when entering government competitions.
He stressed that this amendment represents an important shift in empowering these companies, which form the backbone of any diversified and sustainable economy, as they often faced challenges related to the high initial costs of participating in tenders, which limited their ability to expand and grow.
He noted that the decision will contribute to creating a more dynamic environment that encourages innovation and the provision of new solutions, especially by emerging companies seeking to prove their presence in the market.
Saeed Al Hajri: Increasing the efficiency of project implementation
Businessman Mr. Saeed Al-Hajri considered the Minister of Finance’s Resolution No. (9) of 2026, amending Article (108 bis) of the regulations, by raising the ceiling of exemptions granted to micro, small and medium-sized companies to 5 million Qatari riyals, instead of 1 million riyals previously, as an important step towards establishing a more flexible and comprehensive business environment that allows all categories of companies to actively participate in the development process, and enhances the position of the State of Qatar as a destination. Attractive for investment and business in the region.
He said: The decision would enhance the competitiveness of the local market in general, as it would increase the number of participants in government tenders, thus improving the quality of the offers submitted and raising the efficiency of project implementation. He noted that this decision is expected to have a positive impact on attracting foreign investments, as it enhances investors’ confidence in the legislative and regulatory environment in the State of Qatar, and confirms the government’s commitment to supporting the private sector and providing fair opportunities for competition. The decision also constitutes an additional incentive for international companies to enter into partnerships with their local counterparts, benefiting from the facilities granted, which contributes to the transfer of knowledge and expertise to the local market.
