A meeting chaired by HE the Minister of Business and Trade Sheikh Jassim Bin Abdul Aziz Al-Thani was hold on Wednesday morning, 11/01/2012, with the Services and Prices Monitoring Committee that was formed according to the Emiri Decision No. (72) of 2011. During the meeting, they discussed the committee’s work system and its terms of reference in designing an overall and operational strategy to reduce the unjustified increase of prices of goods and services in the country.
 
The meeting touched on a number of programs and plans directly related to fighting against the increase of prices of goods and services, and it was agreed to begin the development of electronic systems to monitor prices of goods and services, price index and early warning of stock for consumer strategic commodities.
 
It was also agreed in principle to a proposal that aimed to establish a Consumer Protection Association in accordance with Article (4) of Law No. (8) of 2008 on consumer protection and to take necessary actions to follow up and complete the foundation of this association with the relevant authorities
 
HE the Minister of Business and Tradehas underscored the importance of ensuring that the desired vision of the role of the services and prices monitoring committee in the fight against the unjustified increase of prices as well as the protection of individual’s consumption capacity, especially those with limited income, is attained. Furthermore, HEstressed on the need to activate the appropriate legal procedures, which cannot be violated in all practices, to avoid price distortions that can lead to non-development increase in the general inflation rate. He also called on members of the committee and the relevant authorities to make concerted efforts in the implementation of monitoring and regulatory procedures to reduce monopolistic practices or arbitrary that may limit price competitiveness in Qatari markets.
 
It must be mentioned that the Services and Prices Monitoring Committee was formed by the Emiri Decision No. (72) of 2011, under the direct supervision of Heir Apparent, and includes a number of relevant authorities:
Ø Minister of Business and Trade – Chairman
Ø Representative of the Ministry of Business and Trade – Vice Chairman
Ø Representative of the Ministry of Interior – Member
Ø Representative of the Ministry of Municipality and Urban Planning – Member
Ø Representative of the General Secretariat of Council of Ministers – Member
Ø Representative of the Supreme Council of Health – Member
Ø Chairman of the Committee of Maximum Prices and Profit Rates Fixation in the MBT- Member
Ø Chairman of the Competition Protection and Anti- Monopoly Committee in the MBT- Member
Ø Director of the Consumer Protection Department in the Ministry of Business & Trade – Member
 
Role of the Services and Prices Monitoring Committee:
1 – Setting the overall strategy to reduce the increaseof goods and servicesprices in the State through the Ministry of Business and Trade, and working on their implementation in coordination with the concerned authorities in the country.
2 – Adoption of plans, programs and projects related to the increase of goods and services prices, made ​​by the relevant authorities.
3 – Proposing the means and measures to reduce the prices of goods and services.
4 – Proposing the appropriate solutions to prevent any increase in the goods and services prices.
5 – Proposing legislations on the control of prices of goods and services.
6 – Any other functions assigned to the Committee by Heir Apparent.