Rating and Accreditation Program for SMEs

The SME Rating and Accreditation program (SRA) is an independent, validation and accreditation service through local consultancy firms. The service is provided in two stages starting with the rating phase. Once the SME passes the required criteria, the company can move to the next phase which is accreditation.

Apply for the Rating and Accreditation Program

1
Review application and approve subsidy
2
SME Assessment
3
Approval
Number of Working Days

DURATION OF THE RATING AND ACCREDITATION ENGAGEMENTS

  • Review application and approve subsidy

    5 days (Reviewing the application and verify that all necessary requirements are met for the program and obtain approval for the grant)

  • SME Rating

    5 - 7 days (additional 3 days will be given on case to case basis, provided there is proper justification for the delay)

    In any case, No. of working days should not exceed more than 10 days

  • Re-Rating

    5 - 7 days (additional 3 days will be given on case to case basis, provided there is proper justification for the delay)

    In any case, No. of working days should not exceed more than 10 days

  • SME Accreditation (Basic)

    5 – 7 (additional 3 days will be given on case to case basis, provided there is proper justification for the delay)

    In any case, No. of working days should not exceed more than 10 days

  • SME Accreditation (Complex)

    10 – 15 (additional 3 days will be given on case to case basis, provided there is proper justification for the delay)

    In any case, No. of working days should not exceed more than 18 days

  • Re-endorsement

    2 – 3 (additional 2 days will be given on case to case basis, provided there is proper justification for the delay)

    In any case, No. of working days should not exceed more than 5 days

Objectives

  • Fostering business partnerships between local SMEs and local buyer contractors.

  • Developing an SME Rating and Accreditation system

  • Deploying a credible framework to assess and evaluate SMEs intending to execute government, semi-government and private entity contracts.

  • Promoting sustainability, competitiveness and business development

Participation Terms and Conditions

Holding companies are not eligible for participation, but subsidiaries can participate, provided they have proper Commercial Registration in Qatar individually.

If the subsidiary participates, it must follow the thresholds laid out in the Qatar SME definition.

Trade, real estate, contracting, building, construction, government and non-profit entities are not eligible for participation

Enterprises which are a branch of a foreign company or a franchise of an international brand are not eligible for participation.

Enterprises which are a branch of a foreign company or a franchise of an international brand are not eligible for participation.

Accreditation Benefits

  • Permits the exemption from 'Tender Bid Bond', 'Performance Bond' and 'Advance Payment Guarantee'
  • Improve your business by more government procurement engagements.
  • Improve the comfort level with prospective/existing lenders.
  • Identify business gaps/business opportunities and growth potentials.
  • Carry out self-evaluation and take timely and corrective measures for improvement.
Frequently Asked Questions

FAQs

    • Fostering business partnerships between local SMEs and local buyer contractors.
    • Establishing a robust model for the SME Rating and Accreditation system to enhance access to finance for SMEs and strengthen business credentials for registration and pre-qualification with large buyers.
    • Deploying a credible framework to assess and evaluate SMEs intending to execute government, semi-government and private entity contracts.
    • Assisting local SMEs in developing and enhancing their existing business to achieve sustainability and competitiveness to improve their business.

A Rating Certificate is an indicator of the probability of business success and is valid for one year from the date of issue. The Rating Certificate is given on a scale from 1 to 5 (1 being the best and 5 needing improvement in the business).

Important Note: SMEs rated with 1 or 2 will be recommended for an Accreditation Certificate. SMEs rated 3, 4 or 5 will be recommended to various business improvement services offered by QDB.

To be eligible for the SME Rating and Accreditation, an enterprise must meet the following criteria:
• First: Company type
   1. A commercial, for-profit enterprise, engaged in value-added economic activity in Qatar.
   2. Based in Qatar with a minimum 51% of Qatari shareholding.
   3. Qualifying as an SME as per the official Qatar SME definition.
• Second: Willingness to share information
   1. Willing to disclose financial statements of the past 3 years for the purpose of screening as well as performance evaluation. Unaudited financial statements will be considered for assessment;                   however, enterprises with audited financial statements will be given preference in the SME Rating and Accreditation.
   2. Once shortlisted for evaluation, the enterprise will be required to participate in interviews and site visits. They will also be required to furnish additional documents to support and validate the                     discussions during/after the site visits.
 
• Permits the exemption from ‘Tender Bid Bond’, ‘Performance Bond’ and ‘Advance Payment Guarantee’
• Improve your business by more government procurement engagements.
• Improve the comfort level with prospective/existing lenders.
• Carry out self-evaluation and take timely and corrective measures for improvement.
• Identify business gaps/business opportunities and growth potentials.
o Up to 50% grant is offered only for SME Rating Certification. No grant will be given for accreditation services.
o Rating grant is limited to 1 per Qatari ID per year.
o Additional use of Rating and Accreditation services may be allowed without QDB support.
• Holding companies are not eligible for participation, but subsidiaries can participate, provided they have proper Commercial Registration in Qatar individually.
• If the subsidiary participates, it must follow the thresholds laid out in the Qatar SME definition.
• Trade, real estate, contracting, building, construction, government and non-profit entities are not eligible for participation.
• Enterprises which are a branch of a foreign company or a franchise of an international brand are not eligible for participation.
• Enterprises which are a branch of a foreign company or a franchise of an international brand are not eligible for participation.

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