The Public Works Authority (Ashghal) announced the launch of the third phase of the ‘Qualification of Small-Scale Qatari Contractors’ Initiative and the tendering of four contracts for road improvement projects at a total value of about QR100m in October 2019, as part of Ashghal’s keenness to provide a suitable environment for the growth of Qatari companies and in line with the initiative’s objectives. The first phase of the initiative was launched in January of 2018. Ashghal previously signed four contracts within the first phase of the initiative in December 2018, and then tendered four others within the second phase, in April 2019.
With the launch of the third phase, Ashghal would have tendered 12 projects within the Initiative of “Qualification of Small-Scale Contractors” that will encourage local Qatari companies to grow their businesses and qualify themselves to compete in the domestic market.
The aim of the initiative is to provide the opportunity for Qatari investors in the construction sector to implement small projects that qualify them to be a part of the country’s strategic projects in the future, and to contribute to the local economy.
Ashghal is planning to close the tender for these projects in December 2019 and launch road improvement works in Q1 2020 for a period of 540 days. The projects’ scope includes grading works, road pavement, construction of pedestrian lanes, and works to enhance traffic safety such as the installation of directional and traffic signs as well as road markings. The first contract that will be tendered includes road improvement works in several areas within the geographical boundaries of Umm Slal, Al Daayen, and Al Shamal Municipalities.
The second contract includes road improvement works in areas within Doha Municipality. Whereas the third contract comprises road improvement works within the geographical boundaries of Al Wakrah Municipality. As for the fourth contract, it covers road improvement works within Al Rayyan and Al Sheehaniya Municipalities. It is worth mentioning that Ashghal does not require the local companies to have previous experience in the field of road construction or road maintenance as long as the contractor is classified as third category or above in these two fields within the Finance Ministry classification with the aim to provide support to new contractors through training and by introducing them to best practices in project implementation.
The Peninsula
02/10/2019
