Ghadan 21: Abu Dhabi puts Dh15bn of tenders on offer to local companies

Companies with supply chains closely integrated in the UAE economy will be preferred by government and semi-government bodies procuring projects

Abu Dhabi based Waha Capital is aiming to increase  its investments in 2020. Victor Besa / The National

The Abu Dhabi Department of Economic Development is encouraging local companies to bid for up Dh15 billion of government tenders with a view to funnelling more spending back into the emirate's economy.

It is rolling out the Abu Dhabi Local Content programme, which includes more than 1,244 tenders issued by government and semi-government entities within the first three months of the year.

The initiative, part of the Abu Dhabi government’s Ghadan 21 initiative, follows on from the In-Country Value programme initially developed by Abu Dhabi National Oil Company, whose certification regime was recently extended through an agreement with the Department of Economic Development to cover government contracts.

The programme aims “to encourage companies dealing with government entities in Abu Dhabi to invest in the local market in an effort to strengthen the supply chain”, the department’s chairman, Mohammed Ali Al Shorafa, said in a statement, adding that accredited private sector firms can benefit from local products and expertise.

Companies who gain in-country value certification will be prioritised in the awarding of tenders, particularly those with high ratings for the amount of local content, he added.

The ADLC programme underwent a trial period last year, the department said, during which approximately Dh890 million of projects and tenders were awarded.

The Department’s Industrial Development Bureau also held workshops for 60 government and semi-government entities that will be involved in implementing the programme, which were also attended by more than 1,500 representatives from supply chain companies. Since the coronavirus outbreak, many of these briefings have since switched to online platforms, the department said.

Five new consultancy firms are due to be granted ICV certificates, which will bring the total to 11, the department’s undersecretary Rashed  Al Balooshi, said. These consultancies have been entrusted to do a lot of the necessary assessment and to help companies with any queries they have when submitting tender bids.