Doha: The Annual Meeting of State Procurement Program 2026 concluded with significant discussions centered on enhancing the competitiveness of Qatari national products. Jassim Ahmed Al Kuwari, the Assistant Director of the National Product Competitiveness Support Department at the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, emphasized the ministry’s pivotal role in developing supportive policies and initiatives for local industries. This includes facilitating the participation of Qatari manufacturers in the government procurement system.
According to Qatar News Agency, Al Kuwari pointed out that mandatory lists are integral to an integrated system designed to prioritize local products in government contracts and tenders. The Ministry of Commerce and Industry is working closely with the Ministry of Finance to implement the Qatar National Manufacturing Strategy (2024-2030), focusing on industrial capability development, investment procedure simplification, and SME engagement in national supply chains. Regular updates to the mandatory lists ensure that Qatari products meet the quality and technical standards required by government entities.
The third and final day of the meeting featured a workshop on the 2026 updates to the local value program. This program, launched by the Ministry of Finance in August 2022, aims to maximize sustainable local value by developing national skills, supporting suppliers and contractors, and encouraging local private sector investment. It is a strategic tool for supporting the national economy by balancing price and local content in government procurement, thereby enhancing operational efficiency and domestic spending.
The workshop further explored the concept of local value, highlighting its role in giving preference to national companies in government tenders. Presentations from the Ministry of Interior, the Qatar General Electricity and Water Corporation (Kahramaa), the General Tax Authority, and the General Authority of Customs outlined their plans and projects for 2026, reflecting a coordinated effort to strengthen Qatar’s economy through strategic procurement practices.