1. What are the eligibility parameters for participation?

To be eligible for the SME Excellence List, an SME must meet the following criteria.

Type of company

A commercial, for-profit SME, engaged in value-added economic activity in Qatar
Based in Qatar with a minimum 51% of Qatari shareholding
Qualifying as an SME as per the National Definition of SMEs in Qatar. (Micro companies can participate excluding Home-Based Businesses)

Existence in Qatar

In operations in Qatar for a minimum period of 3 years at the time of application
Holding a valid Commercial Registration number in Qatar

Willingness to share information

Audited Statements: All applicants should mandatorily have at least three years of audited financial statements (2019, 2020, 2021). In case 2021 financials have not been audited yet, an internal unaudited report for fiscal year 2021 is accepted at the time of application. However, audited financial statements are mandatory during the site visit phase which will commence in May 2022.
Once shortlisted for evaluation, the SME will be required to participate in the interviews, and site visits. They will also be required to furnish additional documents to support and validate the discussions during/after the site visits.

Other Eligibility Criteria

The applicant can either be a parent or subsidiary. Both the parent company and the subsidiary cannot participate in the SME Excellence List, in the same cycle of evaluation. Thus, the owner will need to decide which is the best application to be included in the current ranking cycle.
The company must follow the thresholds laid out in the National Definition of SME in Qatar (please read the SME definition document carefully).
Government entities and not-for-profit entities are not eligible for participation
SMEs who are a branch of a foreign company or a franchise of an international brand are not eligible to participate.
SMEs involved purely in trading activity are not eligible.
SMEs which have a direct / indirect investment from a current QDB employee are not eligible to participate.

Terms and Conditions

By entering this ranking program, the SME agrees to be contacted by the independent evaluator (Dun and Bradstreet)
The Technical Panel reserves the right to modify the qualification criteria.
This is a ranking program; and the Technical Committees decision will be deemed as final.

2. Can we participate if we are a branch of a foreign company?

NO. The SME Excellence List supports domestic owned businesses only and is not open to branch of foreign companies.

3. Can we participate if we are a holding/parent company or subsidiary of a large enterprise?

The key eligibility parameter is aligned with the National Definition of SMEs in Qatar. If the applicant satisfies the SME requirement, they will be eligible to participate in the SME Excellence List.

4. Can both the holding/parent company and its subsidiary participate in the SME Excellence List?

No. The SME can either be a holding/parent company or a subsidiary. Thus, the owner/CEO will need to decide the best application to be included in the current ranking cycle. Both the holding/parent company and the subsidiary cannot participate in the Excellence List, in the same cycle of evaluation.

5. We follow a financial year ending 31^st March every year, are we eligible to participate in the SME Excellence List?

Yes. Irrespective of the financial year followed, SMEs are eligible to apply.

6. Can we apply even if we have witnessed a drop in our sales / profits in the previous financial year?

Yes. An SME can participate even if they have witnessed a drop-in sales/profits. SMEs are evaluated based on both financial and non-financial parameters

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