Credit Guarantees
(Al-Dhameen)
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.
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
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 demandManagement 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 integrityFinancial 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
- 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
Still need answers?
Supply the partner bank with the maximum guarantees you can, and they will provide you with the financing amount through Al Dhameen program.
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
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 |
- Qatar Islamic Bank
- Masraf Al Rayyan
- Al Ahli Bank
- Qatar International Islamic Bank
- Dukhan Bank
- Doha Bank
- Al Jazeera Finance
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.