Credit Guarantees
(Al-Dhameen)

Al-Dhameen is a QDB initiative encouraging banks to offer financing to startups and SMEs that are unable to provide the necessary financing guarantees or collaterals
Outstanding Guarantees (million QAR)
836
Beneficiaries
128

How does Al-Dhameen work?

Al-Dhameen is a guarantee program, not a direct financing program.

It does not offer direct financing to SMEs. Instead, it issues a letter of guarantee to the financing bank, promising to repay up to 100% of the allocated funds (not exceeding 15 million QR). This allows startup and SME owners to obtain the financing they need from a list of participating banks to launch or grow their business.

  • More than one financing

    A single SME can obtain more than one financing through Al-Dhameen, which issues guarantee letters for each financing separately. In this case, the total value of issued guarantees should not exceed 15 million QAR per project.

  • Qatari SME with more than one project

    If the Qatari SME has more than one project – two at the most – it can obtain two separate guarantee letters, provided the total amount of the guarantees does not exceed 20 million QR.

  • Approve funding above the limit

    The Bank shall approve funding above this limit at its discretion. The coverage of the participating bank remains the same throughout the term of the loan, while the level of guarantee provided by QDB declines in conjunction with the repayment of the term loan.

  • Higher possible limits from participating banks

    Participating banks may grant loans higher than the approved limit, but we must set the guarantee limit, as we see convenient.

Who is Eligible for Al-Dhameen?

HOW TO APPLY FOR AL-DHAMEEN?

The participating bank will consider the application in accordance with its financing policies. QDB guarantees the financing to the participating bank, but the guarantor remains responsible for the full amount of the funding.

Required criteria

Here you can see the required criteria in details
  • Project Sponsors

    The owner or expat have a degree of experience or know-how in the technicality and nature of the project execution.
  • Market Factors

    There is a market attractiveness and relevant need or gap in which the entrepreneur is addressing and can qualify levels of demand
  • Management Factors

    The owners outline a clear plan to assign a team to execute the project at various stages.
  • Credit worthiness

    The owners, sponsors and company have maintained their credit integrity
  • Financial Projections

    The company is able to justify a commercially viable project based on existing audited financial performance or a feasibility study.

List of participated banks

Requirements for Financing

A company that is applying for a financing from the bank must have the following attributes:
  • The application must be submitted under a Qatari citizen ownership (Qatari ID card)
  • The project to be financed should be among the sectors supported and financed by the Bank
  • The company must have a technical and economic feasibility study of the project
  • The company must have its headquarter in the State of Qatar (for existing and emerging projects)
  • The company must comply with the Qatari law governing commercial companies
  • The company must obtain all licenses required for the project
Frequently asked questions

Still need answers?

All main sector business activities are eligible for support under AL-DHAMEEN, except the following sectors: agriculture, fishing and livestock, non-oil mining and quarrying, wholesale and retail, financial, insurance and real estate.
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Yes. You can get multiple loans, so that the total amount does not exceed QR15 million.
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Al-Dhameen doesn't provide such services.
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The maximum profit rate is capped at 6%, and can be reduced if approved between the financing bank and the applicant.
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Yes, the fees charged by the partner bank are for the administrative services they provide.
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Yes, there should be an active Qatari partner with a 51% ownership of the business.
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Yes. Al-Dhameen is designed specifically for financing to startups and SMEs that are unable to provide the necessary financing guarantees or collaterals.

Supply the partner bank with the maximum guarantees you can, and they will provide you with the financing amount through Al Dhameen program. 
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Yes, if the Qatari SME has more than one project – two at the most – it can obtain two separate guarantee letters, provided the total amount of the guarantees does not exceed 30 million QR.
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Al Dhameen is primarily designed for startups, but established companies can apply as well.

 Established Companies:  

  - Years of operation: 3 years or more.

  - Annual sales: less than QR30 million.

 Startups: 

  - Years of operation: less than 3 years.

  - Annual sales: not required
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Company Type

Established Companies

Startups/SMEs

Guarantee Percentage (% of the Financing amount)

100% of the financing

100% of the financing

Minimum customer contribution

30% of the cost the total project cost

Maximum Grace Period

Manufacturing: Maximum 11 years, including 2 years grace period

Services sector: Maximum 8 years, including 2 year grace period

Maximum profit

6% annually

 


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-   Qatar National Bank

-   Qatar Islamic Bank

-   Masraf Al Rayyan

-   Al Ahli Bank

-   Qatar International Islamic Bank

-   Dukhan Bank

-   Doha Bank

-   Al Jazeera Finance
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Al-Dhameen is a QDB initiative encouraging banks to offer financing to startups and SMEs that are unable to provide the necessary financing guarantees or collateral.

Al-Dhameen is a guarantee program, not a direct financing program. The program works with a number of participating Qatari banks to secure funding for these companies, helping them to develop their operations. 

Al Dhameen is suitable for any Qatari SME or joint venture (including foreign investors) whose annual turnover does not exceed 30 million QAR can apply for finance from banks under the Al-Dhameen program.
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Apply directly to one of the participating banks. You can get the Guarantee Application Form for financing SMEs from the participating bank.
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