Payment woes hit companies
Dear Sir,
As the owner of a small specialty construction business that has been operating in Doha, I find that it has been extremely difficult to collect the receivables (money due to the firm from buyers) and settling the payables (money owed to creditors) for the last one and a half years.
When we first started in 2010, payments came in on time and we settled our debts on time. The situation is changed now. Now most small and big construction companies and other businesses involved in material and labour supplies that are directly related to the building sector are all struggling to get payment and then in turn face difficulties in paying their debts. This is a serious crisis detrimental to our business and also to many others.
How can the contracting firms that have worked hard and established themselves in a honest way survive if the cash flow problem remains?
I write this letter with great concern, fervently hoping that there will be a solution soon to the crisis.
Being in the construction loop for the past four years in Qatar, we have established a good reputation; but if we cannot pay our debts because we don’t get paid on time, then all our hard work and effort making a good name will get destroyed. I am sure many other companies feel the same way.
Incidentally, I also hope that those amateurish companies that underquote the bids just to get the job should be more regulated: competition is good but this is not competition.
Brian Metzger, PO Box 5131, Doha
A good suggestion
Dear Sir,
I endorse the suggestion in the letter, “Name offending establishments” (Gulf Times, May 27).
Details of restaurants and beauty salons which are found to be violating rules and regulations should be made known to the public by the Consumer Protection Department (CPD). Only if their names are known, customers could avoid them.
T P Rasheed, PO Box 766, Doha
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