Qatar’s Commerce Ministry performs surprise inspection for street vendors
Tying up with the Ministry of Interior, the Ministry of Commerce and Industry (MoCI) launched a surprise inspection campaign in the Najma area of Doha to check on the street vendors in the location. This is to ensure that suppliers continuously comply with their obligations when conducting commercial activities.
This campaign aims to monitor vendors under Law No 5 of 2015. This is in relation to industrial and commercial shops as well as public stores and street vendors. The said suppliers should strictly abide by their commitment to ministerial Decision No 243 of 2016—this refers to licensing regulations and requirements for commercial activities.
The MoCI continuously strives to ensure the quality of compliance laws and aims for consistency when it comes to the regulations that govern commercial activities. This essential framework monitors vendors to guarantee that violations are duly uncovered and acted upon.
As a result of the surprise inspection campaign, 93 penalties for violations were discovered. Street vendors caught and penalized were found to have been conducting business activities without obtaining the necessary commercial licence required in order to continue with their regular day-to-day operations. The relevant competent authorities will handle the violators according to the correct legal proceedings.
Permitted activities, requirements, and other standards were recently released in an initiative launch by the MoCI to spread awareness for vendors when it comes to the various conditions needed when securing a licence. This framework is in line with the ministry’s efforts to help regulate the industry and to foster a healthy business environment for both local and foreign investors. This will also enhance the investment opportunities in the sector for both entrepreneurs and the private sector. Furthermore, this initiative will be able to improve the quality of the services that are currently offered to the public. Compliance with regulations and commercial laws only exist to ensure that everything is in order governing commercial activities in Qatar.
Violations to the Consumer Protection Law No 5 of 2015 and Ministerial Decision No 243 of 2016 will not be tolerated. As such, the ministry will continue to conduct surprise inspection campaigns to make sure that violations are uncovered and the necessary measures of penalizing these violators are carried out accordingly. Appropriate action will be taken against violators in partnership with competent government authorities should anyone be found in violation of laws and ministerial decisions.
Qatari citizens may take part in reporting any violations when it comes to registration and commercial licences via the call centre: 16001, e-mail: info@moci.gov.qa, or Twitter: @MOCIQATAR.
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