“With Pride & Smile:”  General Hamed Alyafei (right) receiving the SME Trophy from the Prime Minister and Minister of Interior, HE Sheikh Abdullah bin Nasser bin Khalifa al Thani (left).

The leading Performing Arts Academy in Qatar has proven its worth in the industry bagging the 7th Top SME in Qatar in November 2016.

The awarding of SME Excellence List 2016 honoured 50 top local small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Qatar an initiative under the patronage of the Prime Minister and Minister of the Interior, H.E. Sheikh Abdullah bin Nasser bin Khalifa al-Thani, Qatar Development Bank (QDB), in collaboration with Qatar Chamber.

The said endeavor was designed to provide a valuable platform for exceptional local SMEs, as it showcased their achievements in front of ministers of the state, heads of diplomatic missions, and distinguished private and public sector leaders in attendance at the ceremony.

The evaluation criteria, adopted by QDB, for determining the 50 top finalists for the SME Excellence List 2016 included: financial performance, rates of staff development and retention, innovation and use of technology, integrity and transparency, application of quality standards and certifications, and finally, commitment to environmental protection in terms of waste management and compliance with environmental legislation.

Notably, the SME Excellence Ranking Program contributes to the holistic development of the SME ecosystem by rewarding the local business community in Qatar for adopting the best private sector practices and showing outstanding financial results. Through recognising the achievements of successful SMEs in front of an audience that includes top local and international industry leaders and decision-makers situated in Qatar, QDB and its partners aim to give the winners a competitive edge in securing new business opportunities.

Additionally, SME Ranking Program serves as a platform for the exchange of ideas on best practices in the SME sector, providing a learning opportunity for all attendees.