CPD to sell two Arab sheep to every local for Ramadan

By Ayman Adly/Staff Reporter

Every local will have the right to buy two Arab sheep (Syrian and Jordanian) at subsidised prices during the holy month of Ramadan.

The Consumer Protection Department (CPD) at the Ministry of Economy and Commerce (MEC), in collaboration with Widam Food Company, has launched a new distribution mechanism this year to prevent any inconvenience to consumers.

The initiative, with a subsidy of QR12mn from the government, is aimed at ensuring a more organised and hassle-free distribution process to avoid the issues that had led to complaints in previous years. These included lack of proper waiting areas and an inadequate number of porters.

Addressing a press briefing at the MEC, CPD director Sheikh Jassim bin Jaber al-Thani said the new system involves scanning the Qatari ID of a customer so that each local could get the two assigned sheep during the season. Syrian sheep will be priced at QR950 each and Jordanian at QR800.

There will be two separate air-conditioned tents, one for men and another for women, with adequate waiting facilities. Those who opt for home delivery can avail of a premium service at an additional charge of QR50.

A CPD official pointed out that the sheep on sale will be of high quality with a minimum weight of 40kg each.

Abdulrahman Hamad Sraiya al-Kaabi, ex-officio board member of Widam Food Company, said the company will provide 27,000 heads of sheep - 17,000 Syrian and 10,000 Jordanian - and these can be increased.

Further, in co-operation with the MEC, the company will provide four slaughterhouses in Mamoura, Al Khor and Al Shamal for the display and sale of the subsidised products.

Sales will start on Wednesday and continue until the end of the holy month of Ramadan. The working hours will be from 5am to 5pm daily.

Al-Kaabi said 100 butchers have been added to the slaughterhouses to expedite the process and a specialised security company has been contracted to organise the entire process in an orderly manner. Besides, the company will provide around 150 authorised porters and special emphasis has also been laid on hygiene and cleanliness.