The Ministry of Economy and Commerce (MEC) has penalised four cafes for operating without a licence outside a shopping tent in the Mehairja area.
The ministry detected the violation during a surprise inspection campaign that targeted a number of commercial activities at the shopping tent in order to monitor the compliance of shops with laws and regulations governing commercial activities, it said in a statement on Thursday.
The campaign covered 216 activities at the tent.
Such inspection campaigns come within the framework of the MEC’s Ramadan initiatives under the theme ‘#Aqal_Min_Al_Wajeb’. 
The ministry traditionally intensifies its inspection campaigns before and throughout the holy month of Ramadan as part of its efforts to monitor markets and commercial activities. The campaigns are also aimed at ensuring compliance with laws and regulations governing commercial activities in order to crack down on violations and protect consumer rights, the statement notes.
The MEC has urged merchants and shop owners to abide by regulations and laws governing commercial activities.
It has also invited merchants and shop owners to learn about laws and regulations governing commercial activities by visiting the ministry’s website at www.mec.gov.qa to avoid legal accountability and penalties.
The ministry has urged all consumers to report violations or submit complaints and suggestions through the call centre: 16001, email: [email protected], Twitter: MEC_QATAR, Instagram: MEC_QATAR and its application on iPhone and Android devices: MEC_QATAR.
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