* Intensive inspection campaigns to monitor compliance of suppliers with laws and regulations governing commercial activities
Inspection campaigns conducted by the Ministry of Commerce and Industry (MoCI) in October resulted in the imposition of 40 penalties for violations by retail outlets and street vendors.
The violations included conducting unlicensed activities, failure to comply with the general and special requirements for retail outlets, opening and management of a store without a licence, and operating as a street vendor without a commercial licence, the MoCI said in a statement on Wednesday.
The ministry noted that it carried out the intensive inspection campaigns to monitor the compliance of suppliers (retail outlets) with their obligations under laws and resolutions regulating commercial activities, including Law No 5 of 2015 on Commercial, Industrial and Similar Public Shops, and Street Vendors, and Ministerial Resolution No 243 of 2016 on the licensing requirements and regulations to engage in street vendor activities.
The campaigns come within the framework of the MoCI's efforts to regulate markets and commercial activities across Qatar and to ensure compliance with laws and regulations governing commercial activities in a bid to uncover and crack down on violations, the statement pointed out.
The ministry stressed that it would not tolerate any violations of obligations under Law No 5 of 2015 and Ministerial Decision No 243 of 2016, and would intensify its inspection campaigns to crack down on violations. It also noted that it would refer any party in violation of laws and ministerial decisions to the competent authorities, who would, in turn, take appropriate action against the violators in order to protect consumer rights.
The ministry has urged all merchants and shop owners to comply with applicable laws and regulations governing commercial activities and to review them on its website, www.moci.gov.qa, to avoid legal accountability and penalties.
The MoCI has also urged all citizens and residents to report violations regarding registration and commercial licensing procedures through the call Centre: 16001, email: [email protected], Twitter: @MOCIQATAR, Instagram: MOCIQATAR, and the ministry's app on iPhone and Android devices: MOCIQATAR
