Doha: Director of the Government Procurement Regulation Department at the Ministry of Finance, Nayef Al Ahbabi, announced the launch of 4,464 tenders under Qatar’s Government Procurement Plan for 2026. The initiative is part of a new strategic approach aimed at enhancing government spending efficiency, supporting the private sector, and promoting sustainable economic growth, in line with Qatar National Vision 2030.
According to Qatar News Agency, Al Ahbabi made the announcement during his keynote speech at the Government Procurement Plan Forum for 2026, which opened today, Monday, and will run for three days. He noted that the plan covers 15 economic sectors and 260 economic activities according to the International Standard Industrial Classification, compared to 189 activities this year, reflecting a significant expansion in the scope of government projects.
The tenders are scheduled throughout 2026, with 3,143 in Q1, 820 in Q2, 353 in Q3, and 148 in Q4. Around 62 percent of them are concentrated in five main sectors: Information and Communications, Professional, Scientific and Technical Activities, Construction, Administrative and Support Services, and Wholesale and Retail Trade.
To support local products, Al Ahbabi revealed the launch of a mandatory list of over 1,000 Qatari-made products, which will be given procurement priority in coordination with the Ministry of Commerce and Industry. An identification code will also be added to certificates of national factory classification, granting a 10 percent advantage in tenders in accordance with Law No. 6 of 1987.
These measures have already strengthened the presence of national products in government projects and contributed to tangible support for local industry. He highlighted the notable growth of the local value system, with companies holding local value certificates increasing by 33 percent in 2025 compared to 2024, exceeding the annual target of 10 percent.
Starting July 2026, local value will become a mandatory requirement for participation in government tenders, reflecting the state’s commitment to maximizing the use of national resources and boosting the contribution of local companies to the economy. In support of micro, small, and medium enterprises, Al Ahbabi noted that total exemptions from provisional and final guarantees reached QAR 150 million, in addition to QAR 21 million in exemptions from tender document fees.
The Cabinet also approved raising the exemption ceiling to QAR 5 million, which is expected to increase exemption uptake by up to 60 percent. Regarding procurement classification, he explained that company categories are now linked to financial thresholds, with enhanced profiles including legal, technical, and financial data.
The classification system is integrated with the “Binaa” platform of Qatar Development Bank, ensuring project quality and activating performance evaluation to enhance transparency and governance, allowing government entities to monitor company performance records. Al Ahbabi also announced the completion of a study to establish a Government Procurement Excellence Center, aimed at standardizing practices, disseminating best practices, and developing national talent, alongside a full digital transformation to create an integrated electronic system for managing all stages of government procurement, from needs assessment to contracting and execution monitoring.
To improve spending efficiency, he noted completion of five centralized procurement initiatives covering security services, food, cleaning, consulting, and IT equipment, which will unify standards and reduce duplication. The Dispute Resolution Committee was also activated, resolving 63 disputes in 2025, speeding up delivery and strengthening trust in the system.
Al Ahbabi concluded by emphasizing that the full details of the 2026 Government Procurement Plan will be available on the unified website starting November. He reiterated the state’s commitment to empowering the private sector, enhancing transparency, and fostering a competitive and sustainable business environment.