How to Get ICV Certification in Qatar?

In-Country Value, or ICV, now sits at the center of supplier selection for many projects in Qatar’s energy sector. For many suppliers, Qatar ICV certification is now a basic gate pass for long term work in the energy value chain.

QatarEnergy’s Tawteen program rolled out an ICV policy in 2020 to raise local spending and industrial capability in the country’s supply chain.

Bidders that present a strong ICV score often gain a clear edge during tender evaluation. So understanding how to obtain an ICV certificate Qatar has become a core compliance job for finance and supply-chain teams.

ICV Program in Qatar: Basic Idea

ICV in Qatar measures how much economic value a supplier keeps inside the country through local purchases, Qatari payroll, capital investment and training. Tawteen is the supply-chain localization program led by QatarEnergy. It coordinates the policy and provides a digital portal and guidelines for suppliers.

The ICV certificate converts financial and operational data into a single score. Tender documents in the energy sector usually require either a valid ICV certificate or, for new entities, an ICV plan. The score then feeds into bid evaluation as a weighted factor along with price and technical quality.

Who Needs an ICV Certificate in Qatar

ICV certification mainly targets companies that sell goods or services to the oil and gas and energy ecosystem in Qatar. This includes:

• Existing suppliers to QatarEnergy and its joint ventures.
• New local or foreign companies that intend to bid for Tawteen-related opportunities.

Public information indicates that the program focuses on energy projects. Yet many large contractors now require ICV scores from their own subcontractors to stay competitive across the full value chain. 

Key Eligibility and Data Requirements

Before starting the process, companies need to confirm that basic information is ready and consistent. Typical requirements in the ICV templates and guidelines include.

• Audited financial statements for the latest completed financial year.
• Detailed breakdown of operating expenditure between local suppliers and imports.
• Payroll data split between Qatari nationals and expatriate staff and contractors.
• Capital expenditure schedules for assets located in Qatar.
• Training, research and development and supplier-development spend inside Qatar.

The ICV score will reflect each of these components. So gaps or weak classification often reduce the final number even when underlying activity is strong.

Step By Step: How To Get ICV Certification in Qatar

These steps give a practical view of how to get ICV certificate Qatar using the Tawteen portal and approved certifiers. A structured approach keeps the certification cycle predictable. In practice, the steps usually look like this:

• Register on the ICV portal (ICV.qa) and review the latest Tawteen ICV guidelines and templates.
• Select an approved ICV certifier listed on the portal and sign an engagement letter that covers scope and timelines.
• Map general ledger accounts and HR records to the ICV template, then populate trial versions of the schedules.
• Share supporting documents with the certifier, such as invoices, payroll files and fixed-asset registers, for sampling.
• Host fieldwork or remote review sessions so the certifier can test sample transactions and clarify interpretations.
• Receive a draft ICV certificate and score, respond to any queries and confirm final figures.
• Submit the approved ICV certificate through the portal or to tendering entities and keep a copy for internal records.

Validity and Renewal Expectations

ICV certificates in Qatar are typically anchored to the latest audited financial year. Public material on the ICV portal states that the certificate must reflect final audited data. This means provisional or management accounts are not acceptable.

Renewal generally follows the company’s year-end. Once new audited financial statements are signed, the supplier prepares a fresh ICV data pack and engages the certifier again. Planning that timetable early helps avoid bidding with lapsed certificates, a situation that can lead to lower scoring or outright rejection in some tenders.

Common Mistakes That Reduce ICV Scores

Experience shared by ICV practitioners highlights several recurring issues:

• Treating all local purchases as “Qatari content” even when the supplier imports most of the value.
• Misclassifying expatriate staff as Qatari nationals because of local residence or long service.
• Missing supporting documents for sampled invoices and payroll entries during the certifier’s review.
• Ignoring associated entities, which can distort capital expenditure and headcount allocation.

Early diagnostic checks inside finance and procurement teams reduce these risks and often increase the final ICV score without changing real operations.

Working With Approved ICV Certifiers

A well planned ICV audit Qatar process tests local spending, payroll and investment data before the final score is issued. Tawteen maintains a list of approved ICV certifiers that meet program standards for audit quality and independence.

Selecting a certifier from this list is mandatory. Many suppliers prefer firms that already audit their financial statements, since this shortens the learning curve on the chart-of-accounts structure and internal controls.

Clear communication on sampling logic, interpretation of local content and treatment of long-term contracts helps both sides. A written methodology note shared at the start of the engagement often prevents disputes late in the process.

How ICV Links to Wider Local Content Policy

The Qatari ICV framework is part of a broader push to localize supply chains and diversify the economy. Official announcements emphasise targets such as higher local manufacturing content, more Qatari employment and stronger support for small and medium enterprises.

For suppliers, ICV policy acts as a signal that long-term contracts will reward sustained local presence rather than short-term trading. Investment in local workshops, service centers and training programs can therefore support both economic policy goals and the supplier’s commercial position in future tenders.

Conclusion

ICV certification in Qatar is no longer just a tender formality. It shapes long term access to energy and industrial projects. Firms that treat data mapping, audit support and renewal planning as a continuous process usually protect both scores and credibility. 

Arnifi supports that work by organising ledgers, building ICV-ready schedules and coordinating with approved certifiers so finance and supply chain teams face each cycle with confidence and stronger outcomes.

FAQs

What is an ICV certificate in Qatar?

An ICV certificate is an independent report that converts a supplier’s local spending, payroll and investment in Qatar into a single In-Country Value score used in tender evaluation.

Who issues ICV certificates in Qatar?

ICV certificates are issued by approved ICV certifiers accredited under the Tawteen program and listed through the official ICV portal.

Can a new company without audited accounts obtain ICV recognition?

New entities that lack audited financial statements usually submit an ICV plan based on projected activity, as described in Tawteen guidance for new suppliers.

Is ICV certification mandatory for every supplier in Qatar?

ICV certification is not a general tax or regulatory requirement. Yet it is effectively mandatory for companies that want to bid for many QatarEnergy and Tawteen-related opportunities.

How often should a company renew its ICV certificate?

Renewal typically follows the annual audit cycle, since each certificate must reflect the latest audited financial year used in the ICV templates.