The Ministry of Commerce and Industry, in cooperation with the Ministry of Interior and the Ministry of Municipality and Environment, has carried out surprise inspection campaigns targeting street vendors and old residences across Qatar in a bid to monitor the compliance of retail shops with their obligations under Law No. 5 of 2015 on Commercial, Industrial and Similar Public Shops, and Street Vendors, as well as their commitment to Ministerial Decision No. 243 of 2016 on the licensing requirements and regulations to engage in street vendor activities.

The inspection campaigns resulted in 10 penalties on retail shops and street vendors who committed violations including failing to comply with the Ihtiraz app instructions, engaging in multiple business activities and failing to comply with general and specific requirements for shops, conducting a business without obtaining a license (a car workshop in an old residence) and carrying out unlicensed street vendor activities. Five additional notices were issued for shops that committed a violation after failing to amend their status in the licenses and commercial records.

The inspection campaigns come within the framework of the Ministry’s efforts to monitor markets and trade activities in Qatar and ensure compliance with laws and regulations governing commercial activities in order to uncover and crack down on violations.

The Ministry stressed that it will not tolerate any violations of Law No. 5 of 2015 and Ministerial Decision No. 243 of 2016, and will intensify its inspection campaigns to crackdown on violations. The Ministry said it will refer any party in violation of laws and Ministerial decisions to competent authorities, who will, in turn, take appropriate action against violators in order to protect consumer rights.

The Ministry urges all merchants and shop owners to adhere to applicable laws and regulations governing commercial activities, and invites them to review these laws and regulations by visiting the Ministry of Commerce and Industry’s website (www.moci.gov.qa) to avoid legal accountability and penalties.

The Ministry also urges all citizens and residents to report violations regarding registration and commercial licensing procedures through the following channels:

– Call Centre: 16001
– Email: info@moci.gov.qa
– The accounts of the Ministry of Commerce and Industry on social networks
Twitter: @MOCIQATAR
Instagram: MOCIQATAR

– The app of the Ministry of Commerce and Industry on iPhone and Android devices: MOCIQATAR