Doha: Under the patronage of HE Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al-Thani, the Ministry of Labour (MoL) has launched the 2026 Qatar Nationalisation Award for the Private Sector.
According to Qatar News Agency, the event was attended by HE Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of State for Defense Affairs Sheikh Saoud bin Abdulrahman bin Hassan Al-Thani, alongside numerous ministers, senior officials, and private sector representatives. HE Minister of Labour Dr. Ali bin Samikh Al Marri highlighted that the award aligns with the vision of HH the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani, emphasizing the importance of human capital and the need for developing education and training systems to prepare national talent for future challenges.
HE Dr. Al Marri stated that the Ministry of Labour is committed to enhancing work environments and promoting the active participation of Qatari talent in the private sector. This is to be achieved through policies aimed at increasing national workforce participation based on competence and sustainability, learning from past challenges faced in workforce nationalisation.
The Minister of Labour noted the significance of the Private Sector Nationalisation Law issued in 2024, which provides a legal framework to address these challenges and includes incentives to improve the nationalisation system. By the end of 2024, the MoL launched a National Strategy for an Effective and Highly Productive Workforce 2024-2030, which aims to increase Qatari employment in the private sector from 17 percent to 20 percent, supported by approximately 15,400 Qataris.
Furthermore, HE Dr. Al Marri cited successful partnerships with private-sector companies that have employed 7,861 Qatari citizens and the children of Qatari women across various sectors. He emphasized the importance of competence as a means to achieve progress and highlighted the role of the Qatar Nationalisation Award in promoting positive competition and recognizing national talent.
Assistant Undersecretary for Manpower Affairs in the Private Sector at the Ministry of Labour, Khames Mohammed Al Nuaimi, explained that the award aims to support Qatar National Vision 2030 by empowering national talent and promoting excellence among enterprises. The award is governed by an integrated framework ensuring fairness and professionalism in its evaluation process, aiming to consolidate nationalisation culture and raise awareness of private sector opportunities.
The award categories include Institutions and Individuals, recognizing excellence in recruitment, training, and retention efforts, as well as individual contributions to the labor market. Eligibility criteria for enterprise awards include commercial registration in Qatar and adherence to nationalisation laws, while individual awards focus on Qatari employees' achievements.
The launch of the Qatar Nationalisation Award reflects the Ministry's commitment to enhancing national workforce participation and supporting the private sector's contribution to human capital development, in line with Qatar National Vision 2030. The award aims to attract Qatari talent, create motivating work environments, empower Qatari women, and promote best practices in training and career progression.