QDB coordinates with MoJ, MEI, Ooredoo, QNB and QPost to launch One Stop Shop

Qatar Development Bank (QDB) launched its multi-service support center, “One Stop Shop,” to cater to small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) at partner Qatar Business Incubation Center’s (QBIC) premises on 11 October 2016.

In order to develop a resource center with all the necessary services that are needed by the SME community under one roof, QDB coordinated with the Ministry of Justice (MoJ), Ministry of Energy &Industry (MEI), Qatar National Bank (QNB), Ooredoo and Qatar Postal Services Company (QPost) for the launch of the “One Stop Shop.” This move comes in line with QDB’s efforts to make its resources readily available toentrepreneurs and be physically approachable by the growing SME community in Qatar.

With the opening of the new multi-service support center, entrepreneurs and SME owners may now avail many developmental resources in a single location, such as a wide range ofQDB’s products and services to support the growth of SMEs. For instance, through this resource center, QDB can now facilitate SMEs in meeting the official procedures of governmental and non-governmental bodies. The “One Stop Shop” has full-service offices for Qatari ministries and government departments that support SMEs.

“Our ‘One Stop Shop’ solution for the SME community is consistent with our objectives at QDB to contribute meaningfully to the achievement of the Qatar National Vision 2030 and support the ongoing economic diversification of Qatar,” said Abdulaziz bin Nasser al-Khalifa, Chief Executive Officer (CEO), QDB. “By bringing together the most commonly-sought business resources under one roof, QDB and QBIC aim to stimulate the private sector marketplace by facilitating the entry of new participants. Furthermore, this center will also prove to be an asset for the start-ups in incubation at QBIC. It is our firm conviction that with the creation of such infrastructure, the SMEs and the private sector across Qatar will be able to participate more fully and dynamically in the nation’s growing economy.”

Interested entrepreneurs may also approach QDB officials at the multi-service support center for advice on issues concerning the SME community and guidance on local procedures for obtaining licensing and permissions to provide new services.To facilitate queries regarding the acquisition of licensing, permits and other information, a user-friendly hotline at 44300000 has been installed. A key role of the latest “One Stop Shop” branch is to provide client aftercare, whereby QDB’s staff follows upwith entrepreneurs and SMEs to ensure they are well-supported.

The launch of “One Stop Shop”is the latest in a series of initiatives through which QDB seeks to simplify the entry route for new companies, which focus on technology and operate on eco-friendly business plans, to join the market. Its partner for the multi-service support center, QBIC, is a business incubation center that provides support services to help entrepreneurs and companies that wish to develop their new business concepts or grow their existing operations.