The Supreme Committee for Delivery & Legacy (SC), the organisation responsible for delivering the infrastructure required to host the 2022 FIFA World Cup™, has pledged more than 700m QAR exclusively for local small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to enable them to be involved in the country's tournament preparations, staging and legacy plans.

The announcement was made at the third edition of the Government Procurement & Contracting Conference and Exhibition – Moushtarayat. The event was delivered under the patronage of H.H. Sheikh Abdullah bin Nasser bin Khalifa Al Thani, the Prime Minister and Minister of the Interior. It was organised by the Qatar Development Bank (QDB) in partnership with the Ministry of Finance (MoF).

Also in attendance at the event, which is taking place between 23-25 April 2018, was the Minister of Energy and Industry, H.E. Dr. Mohammed bin Saleh Al Sada, the Minister of Education and Higher Education H.E. Dr. Mohammed Abdul Wahed Al Hammadi, the Governor of Qatar Central Bank, H.E. Sheikh Abdullah bin Saoud Al Thani and Qatar Development Bank CEO, Abdulaziz bin Nasser Al Khalifa.

The theme of the 2018 conference was "The Blockade: from Challenge to Opportunity." Moushtarayat – the Arabic word for 'Procurements' – is organised in line with the Qatar National Vision 2030 to develop local talent and create a cooperative environment for Qatari entrepreneurs. It also encourages local SMEs to become active contributors to the diversification of the economy, helping develop the vital experience, resources and professional skills required to compete in global markets.

The SC is also committed to helping develop the local economy of Qatar in the preparations, staging and legacy phases of the 2022 FIFA World Cup™. The SC participated in the previous edition of Moushtarayat, along with its stadium contractors, and was delighted to once again showcase the opportunities open to local SMEs and engage with those in attendance during the three-day conference at Doha Exhibition and Conference Center (DECC).

The SC's continued participation at the conference provides an ideal platform to engage face-to-face with local market SMEs, and highlight all opportunities created by the first FIFA World Cup™ in the region.

Commenting on the importance of the SC's participation in the conference, and continued commitment to playing its part in the development of the local economy, Ghanim Al Kuwari, Competition Venues Executive Director at the SC said: "We are delighted to provide local companies with so many opportunities and enable so many to be involved in the preparations, staging and legacy phases of the first FIFA World Cup to be hosted in the Arab world. We are confident this will leave a permanent legacy to Qatar's business society, and its long-term economy, and help the country's flourishing SME sector continue to grow."

He added: "As part of our commitment to both the Qatar National Vision 2030 and the National Development Strategy, we strive to support the economic development efforts in Qatar by providing real opportunities for local companies, many of whom are engaged as main contractors of our stadiums and training sites that we are responsible for delivering ahead of 2022. The total estimated value of these opportunities is 700m QAR. We look forward to continuing to play our role in the development and growth of Qatar from now to 2022, and beyond."

During the conference, a number of SC officials from different divisions delivered workshops tackling various standards of procurement, workers' welfare, and health and safety.

The conference also included two sessions to discuss the unjust blockade imposed on Qatar as well as future opportunities to come out of it. Success stories of companies and business start-ups amid the blockade, were also showcased and celebrated.