How to Get an ICV Certificate in Qatar: A Complete Guide

How to Get an ICV Certificate in Qatar: A Complete Guide

If your company supplies goods or services to Qatar’s Energy Sector, understanding ICV Certification in Qatar has become increasingly important. An In-Country Value (ICV) Certificate demonstrates your company’s contribution to Qatar’s local economy and can directly affect the commercial evaluation of your bids.

Whether you are a contractor, trading company, service provider, manufacturer, engineering company or other supplier operating in Qatar, preparing for ICV certification can help strengthen your position when participating in relevant tenders.

This guide explains how to get an ICV Certificate in Qatar, the documents normally required, the certification process, and how businesses can prepare for a better ICV assessment.

What Is ICV Certification in Qatar?

ICV stands for In-Country Value.

The ICV Program is part of Tawteen, an initiative designed to encourage companies operating in Qatar to increase their contribution to the local economy.

ICV certification involves an independent review of a supplier's or contractor's ICV Scorecard by a pre-approved ICV Certifier.

The purpose of certification is to verify that the information submitted by the company is supported by appropriate evidence and that its ICV Score has been calculated according to the applicable methodology.

The ICV Score reflects different aspects of a company's economic contribution within Qatar, including local procurement, workforce-related expenditure, local investment and other qualifying activities.

Is an ICV Certificate Mandatory in Qatar?

For suppliers bidding directly on applicable Energy Sector tenders, ICV is mandatory unless the supplier qualifies for an exemption under the ICV rules.

According to Tawteen's current guidance, a supplier without an applicable ICV Score at the bid closing date may be disqualified during commercial evaluation unless an exemption applies.

However, having the highest ICV Score does not automatically mean winning a tender. Suppliers still need to satisfy the tender's technical requirements, and commercial factors such as pricing remain relevant.

Why Is ICV Certification Important for Qatar Companies?

Obtaining an ICV Certificate in Qatar can be important because the ICV Score forms part of the commercial evaluation process for relevant Energy Sector tenders.

More broadly, the ICV framework encourages businesses to increase their economic contribution within Qatar through areas such as:

• Procurement of goods and services within Qatar

• Employment and development of the local workforce

• Investment in assets and operations in Qatar

• Training and employee development

• Development of local suppliers

• Local manufacturing and sourcing

Therefore, ICV should not necessarily be viewed simply as another certificate to obtain before submitting a tender. Companies that regularly participate in Energy Sector procurement may benefit from incorporating ICV considerations into their wider procurement, HR, investment and business planning.

How to Get an ICV Certificate in Qatar

The certification process can generally be divided into the following steps.

Step 1: Register on the Tawteen ICV Digital Portal

The company first registers through the Tawteen ICV Digital Portal.

During registration, businesses are required to provide company information and supporting documentation and create their company profile.

Companies should make sure their legal information is accurate and consistent across their registration documents.

Step 2: Engage a Pre-Approved ICV Certifier

ICV Certificates cannot simply be self-issued by a company.

The supplier must engage an independent pre-approved ICV Certifier. Tawteen maintains the current panel of approved certifiers through its ICV Digital Portal.

The certifier independently reviews the ICV submission and supporting evidence.

Step 3: Prepare the ICV Scorecard

The company completes its ICV Scorecard using information that can be reconciled with its financial and operational records.

Depending on the nature of the business, this can involve detailed information relating to areas such as:

Goods and materials purchased

Companies may need supplier-wise details of goods and materials purchased during the relevant period.

Services and subcontracting

Detailed expenditure on services, subcontractors and other service providers may be required.

Employee information

Payroll and workforce information may be relevant to the ICV calculation.

Training expenditure

Qualifying employee training and development expenditure should be properly identified and supported.

Supplier development

Where applicable, expenditure or initiatives relating to supplier development should be documented.

Investment in Qatar

Details relating to fixed assets and qualifying investments in Qatar may form part of the assessment.

Revenue

Companies may need detailed revenue information, including appropriate segregation between domestic and export revenue where relevant.

The quality of the accounting records and supporting schedules can have a significant impact on how efficiently the certification process is completed.

Documents Required for ICV Certification in Qatar

The precise documentation depends on the company's activities and the samples selected during certification. However, businesses should generally be prepared to provide documents and information such as:

• Commercial Registration and/or applicable business licence

• Articles of Association and ownership information

• Tax Card, where applicable

• Company organizational information

• Latest applicable audited financial statements

• Completed ICV Scorecard

• General ledger and trial balance

• Supplier-wise purchases of goods and materials

• Supplier-wise service and subcontracting expenditure

• Payroll and employee schedules

• Supporting invoices and payment records

• Employee training details

• Supplier-development expenditure

• Fixed-asset and investment schedules

• Revenue schedules

• Supporting workings and reconciliations

Additional supporting evidence may be requested by the certifier depending on the company's transactions and the samples selected for verification.

Importance of Audited Financial Statements

One of the most important elements of the ICV Certification process in Qatar is the company's financial information.

The certification is generally based on the latest applicable audited financial statements. Therefore, companies planning to obtain ICV certification should coordinate their financial-statement audit and ICV preparation rather than waiting until a tender deadline approaches.

Businesses operating under different Qatar regulatory frameworks, including eligible entities established through QFC, QFZ or QSTP, can also fall within the ICV framework. The applicable Tawteen requirements should be reviewed based on the company's circumstances.

What About Newly Established Companies?

Tawteen provides specific treatment for newly established suppliers.

According to its current FAQ, a supplier established in Qatar for less than two years is exempt from mandatory ICV requirements.

However, a newly established supplier may still choose to obtain an ICV Certificate.

Depending on the company's age and circumstances, internally approved management accounts or audited financial statements may be used subject to Tawteen's applicable requirements.

New businesses should therefore review their eligibility carefully instead of assuming that ICV certification is immediately mandatory.

How Long Does ICV Certification Take in Qatar?

Tawteen indicates that the average ICV certification process may take approximately two to three weeks.

The actual time required can vary depending on factors such as the company's size, quality of accounting records, availability of audited financial statements, number of suppliers and transactions, supporting documentation and how quickly management responds to certification queries.

For this reason, companies should avoid starting the process immediately before an important tender deadline.

How Long Is an ICV Certificate Valid?

Suppliers are generally expected to obtain a new ICV Certificate annually.

Current Tawteen guidance also provides for a 90-day grace period for eligible certificates, resulting in a total period of one year plus 90 days from the certificate issue date.

Companies bidding during an applicable grace period should carefully check the additional requirements, including requirements relating to evidence that a new certification process has been initiated.

How Can a Company Improve Its ICV Score?

Improving ICV should be treated as a business strategy rather than an accounting adjustment at year-end.

Depending on the company's circumstances, management can evaluate opportunities to:

• Increase eligible procurement from suppliers in Qatar

• Review local sourcing opportunities

• Develop employees through appropriate training

• Invest in qualifying assets and operations in Qatar

• Support local supplier development

• Maintain accurate supplier classifications and procurement records

• Properly document qualifying ICV expenditure

• Monitor ICV performance throughout the financial year

Companies should avoid making procurement decisions solely to increase an ICV Score without considering commercial viability, quality, pricing and operational requirements.

A better approach is to integrate ICV considerations into normal procurement, finance, HR and investment decisions.

Common ICV Certification Mistakes

Many certification delays arise from documentation and accounting issues rather than the certification procedure itself.

Common problems can include incomplete supplier information, difficulty reconciling schedules with audited financial statements, insufficient supporting invoices, incorrectly classified expenditure, incomplete payroll information, missing training records and beginning certification too close to a tender deadline.

A useful approach is to perform an ICV readiness review before formally beginning certification.

ICV Certification for Small Businesses in Qatar

Tawteen also provides support mechanisms for qualifying micro and small suppliers.

Eligible businesses may have access to measures such as Blanket Score treatment and an optional simplified certification process, subject to the applicable eligibility criteria.

The simplified process is designed to reduce some of the administrative requirements associated with obtaining an ICV Certificate.

Small businesses should therefore check their current eligibility before beginning a full detailed certification exercise.

ICV Certification Support in Qatar

Preparing an ICV Scorecard requires coordination between accounting, procurement, HR, operations and management.

Businesses seeking ICV certification support in Qatar can benefit from preparing their accounting records, supplier schedules, payroll information, fixed-asset information and supporting documentation well before approaching certification deadlines.

It is also important to distinguish between ICV preparation/advisory services and formal certification. The final certification must be performed by a Tawteen pre-approved independent ICV Certifier in accordance with the applicable requirements.

Frequently Asked Questions About ICV Certification Qatar

Is ICV mandatory in Qatar?

ICV is mandatory for applicable suppliers bidding in Energy Sector tenders unless an exemption applies.

Can any audit firm issue an ICV Certificate?

No. Formal certification must be carried out by a pre-approved ICV Certifier.

How often should an ICV Certificate be renewed?

Suppliers should generally obtain a new certificate annually, subject to the applicable Tawteen policies and grace-period provisions.

How long does certification take?

Tawteen states that the average process can take approximately two to three weeks, although the actual timeline depends on the company's readiness and documentation.

Can a new company obtain an ICV Certificate?

Yes. Newly established companies may voluntarily obtain certification subject to the applicable requirements, even where they qualify for an exemption from mandatory ICV.

Does a higher ICV Score guarantee that a company will win a tender?

No. ICV forms part of commercial evaluation. Suppliers must still satisfy technical requirements and other tender conditions.

Start Preparing for Your ICV Certificate in Qatar

For companies supplying or planning to supply Qatar's Energy Sector, ICV Certification should be considered well before a tender is announced.

Maintaining proper accounting records, identifying local expenditure, keeping supplier information updated, documenting workforce and training costs, and reconciling ICV schedules with financial statements can make the certification process considerably smoother.

If your company is planning to obtain or renew an ICV Certificate in Qatar, an early ICV readiness assessment can help identify documentation gaps and prepare your records before they are submitted for independent certification.

Need assistance with ICV preparation in Qatar?

Crown Accounting & Technology LLC can assist businesses with ICV readiness, accounting records, financial reporting, supporting schedules, documentation review and preparation for ICV certification.

Contact our team in Doha to discuss your company's ICV requirements and prepare for the certification process.