Categories: News

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The Ministry of Economy and Commerce has announced the launch of the “Halal Livelihood” program that will be broadcast on its YouTube channel throughout the holy month of Ramadan. The program is the latest out of a series of initiatives launched by the ministry to mark the holy month under “the theme #Aqal_Min_Al_Wajeb,” the Arabic for “#the_least_we_can_do.”
 
The program aims to raise awareness about halal living under the Islamic faith and to highlight the value and importance of professional and vocational work in elevating states and societies.
 
The program sheds light on the importance of seeking halal earnings as defined by Islamic law and tackles the importance of work for people. The program also gives answers on the reasons behind the existence of humans and their mission on this earth and explains the true meaning of trusting in Allah.
 
The Halal Livelihood program will be presented by Abdallah Al Bouainain on Monday and Thursday following noon prayers throughout the holy month on the ministry’s YouTube channel. The first episode will commence on Thursday the 9th of June, 2016. The ministry invites the public to follow the “Halal Livelihood” program on its YouTube channel under the name MEC_QATAR.
 
The Ministry of Economy and Commerce had unveiled a variety of initiatives to mark the holy month of Ramadan 2016. These initiatives come within the framework of the ministry’s efforts to provide community-oriented services, designed to cover all aspects of the ministry’s activities in terms of organization, partnership and support. These initiatives include sheep subsidies and price reductions on consumer goods in addition to organizing a number of awareness forums and campaigns on trade in Islam.
 
The ministry has also launched the discounted consumer goods initiative, Al Baraka corporate social responsibility program and a campaign to bolster the productivity of bakeries as well as another campaign to regulate gold and jewelry businesses in addition to monitoring commercial activities and markets.

​Qatar’s household spending on consumer goods and food traditionally peaks during the holy month of Ramadan by 30%, compared to regular days where average household spending does not exceed 15%.  In this context, the Ministry of Economy and Commerce is offering tips to citizens and residents to shop smarter and plan better for the holy month.
 
The awareness campaign is the latest out of a series of initiatives launched by the ministry during Ramadan under the theme “#Aqal_Min_Al_Wajeb,” the Arabic for “#the_least_we_can _do.”
 
The ministry offered tips, highlighting the importance of saving money and planning purchases in advance, allocating a monthly budget for food commodities, setting a list of necessary family purchases and complying with it as well as avoiding shopping prior to iftars since hunger is shown to motivate consumers to buy unnecessary products.
 
By offering these tips, the Ministry of Economy and Commerce has sought to equip families with the necessary tools to better plan their finances. The ministry encouraged families to prepare a detailed list of meals to be consumed during Ramadan and to set money aside to shop for basic commodities such as rice, oil, sugar and other products before Ramadan kicks off and markets become crowded.
 
The Ministry of Economy and Commerce also presented several tips on how to manage the household budget, using credit cards and making the most out of shopping in small malls. The ministry has also urged citizens and residents to check newspapers and advertisements for the latest promotions and subsidized goods.
 
The ministry invites the public to follow its various accounts on social media networks including Instagram, Snapchat and YouTube under the name MEC_QATAR and to subscribe to its Watsapp account on the number: 66111400

​The Ministry of Economy and Commerce launched an unannounced inspection campaign targeting butcher shops across the country to ensure the compliance of suppliers (retail outlets) with law number (8) of 2008 on consumer protection.
 
The inspection campaigns come within the framework of the ministry’s latest initiatives ahead of the holy month of Ramadan under the theme “#Aqal_Min_Al_Wajeb,” the Arabic for “#the_least_we_can _do.”
 
The ministry traditionally intensifies its inspection campaigns ahead and throughout the holy month to monitor markets and commercial activity in a bid to crack down on price manipulation and protect consumer rights.
 
The inspection campaign, which targeted 134 butcher shops, resulted in 14 fines. Violations included selling expired meat, failing to announce product prices and using inaccurate product labels in violation of article (8) of law number (8) of 2008 on consumer protection. Article (8) of the law stipulates that “suppliers shall display the price of any product on sale either on the product itself or in a prominent place” while article (6) of the same law prohibits the sale, display or promotion of fraudulent or corrupt products. A product is considered fraudulent if it is expired or fails to meet standards.
 
Violations of the consumer protection law number (8) of 2008 result in penalties that range from administrative closures and fines from 3,000 riyals and up to 1 million riyals.
 
The ministry stressed that it will not tolerate any violations of the Consumer Protection Law and its regulations, and will intensify its inspection campaigns to crackdown on violations. The ministry said it will refer those who violate laws and ministerial decrees to competent authorities, who will in turn take appropriate action against perpetrators in order to protect consumer rights.
 
The ministry urges all consumers to report violations to the Consumer Protection and Anti-Commercial Fraud department through the following channels:
– Call Centre: 16001
– Email: info@mec.gov.qa
– The accounts of the Ministry of Economy and Commerce on social networks
         – Twitter MEC_QATAR
         – Instagram MEC_QATAR
– The application of the Ministry of Economy and Commerce on iPhone and Android devices MEC_QATAR

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The Ministry of Economy and Commerce has unveiled the second initiative as part of a series of initiatives to mark the holy month of Ramadan 2016 under the theme “#Aqal_Min_Al_Wajeb,” the Arabic for “#the_least_we_can _do.”
 
The ministry issued decision number (2) of 2016, which caps the prices of over 400 consumer products starting May 29 until the end of the holy month of Ramadan.
 
The initiative comes within the framework of the ministry’s efforts over the past few years to ease the burden on consumers shopping for goods during the holy month. A list of more than 400 subsidized goods was attached to the decision, which is effective until the end of the holy month of Ramadan. 
 
The list includes basic commodities frequently consumed during the holy month of Ramadan such as flour, sugar, rice, pasta, oil, milk and other food and non-food items.
 
The ministry stressed that it will not tolerate any violations of the Consumer Protection Law and its regulations, and will intensify its inspection campaigns to crackdown on violations. The ministry said it will refer those who violate laws and ministerial decrees to competent authorities, who will in turn take appropriate action against perpetrators in order to protect consumer rights.
 
The ministry urges all consumers to report violations to the Consumer Protection and Anti-Commercial Fraud department through the following channels:
 
– Call Centre: 16001
– Email: info@mec.gov.qa
– The accounts of the Ministry of Economy and Commerce on social networks
– Twitter MEC_QATAR
– Instagram MEC_QATAR
– The application of the Ministry of Economy and Commerce on iPhone and Android devices MEC_QATAR
 
The Ministry of Economy and Commerce had unveiled a variety of initiatives to mark the holy month of Ramadan 2016.
 
These initiatives come within the framework of the ministry’s efforts to provide community-oriented services, designed to cover all aspects of the ministry’s activities in terms of organization, partnership and support. These initiatives include sheep subsidies and price reductions on consumer goods in addition to the organization of a number of awareness forums and campaigns on trade in Islam and “Halal livelihood” program on the ministry’s YouTube channel.
 
The ministry will also launch the discounted consumer goods initiative, Al Baraka corporate social responsibility program, the “Iktisadi” bank card campaign as well as several other campaigns to boost the productivity of bakeries and regulate the sale of gold and jewelry.

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Under the patronage of His Excellency Sheikh Abdullah Bin Nasser Bin Khalifa Al-Thani, Prime Minister and Minister of Interior, the Ministry of Economy and Commerce (MEC) is hosting the Sport Business Opportunities Forum today, Sunday the 22nd of May, 2016 in partnership with the Ministry of Culture and Sports (MCS), the Supreme Committee for Delivery and Legacy (SC), Qatar Olympic Committee (QOC) and Aspire Zone Foundation (AZF).
 
In an effort to promote transparency, the forum will feature the launch of a Registration and Pre-qualification Window (R&P Window), a program that is set to be launched in October to bring suppliers and government entities closer by providing companies with a single point of contact, thereby offering users a clear understanding of the supply chain in the sports sector while identifying investment opportunities for local and international companies.
 
The window has been designed to better match supply and demand and will transform spending into real investment opportunities for the local private sector, which will reflect positively on the growth of the non-oil sector in Qatar.
 
The user interface is characterised by simplicity and ease of use for both the private sector and requesting authorities from the sports, enabling companies to register, qualify and access sports sector committee tenders easily. It will also provide a clear understanding of available investment opportunities offered by major companies in Qatar’s sports sector.
 
The program offers users a variety of important and useful tools, for instance it can classify available investment opportunities, as well as specify the risks involved pertaining to the registered company according to its activity, through e-mail and text message, and send company offers and proposals directly to the requesting party, for tender considerations.
 
 
The system also provides management reports on spending, supplier performance as well as other types of analysis.
 
It is worth mentioning that the Ministry of Economy and Commerce, in collaboration with its strategic partners, will prepare an annual report on investment opportunities in the sports sector in order to ensure transparency on available opportunities in addition to providing detailed information on future plans in the sports sector.
 
The report will also clarify registration and pre-qualification procedures to promote local private sector investments and provide a list of the companies that are registered in the system.

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• The Ministry of Economy and Commerce, in cooperation with its strategic partners, has identified 83 commercial and investment opportunities in the sports sector

• The market for sport venue construction exceeds 30 billion Qatari riyals over the next 5 years
 
• The construction sector, estimated at a market value of above 10 billion Qatari riyals, will offer various investment opportunities pertaining to mechanical, electrical and sanitary equipment

• The market for sports events management is estimated at nearly 14 billion Qatari riyals
 
 
Under the patronage of His Excellency Sheikh Abdullah Bin Nasser Bin Khalifa Al-Thani, Prime Minister and Minister of Interior, the Ministry of Economy and Commerce (MEC) will host the Sport Business Opportunities Forum on Sunday the 22nd of May, 2016 in partnership with the Ministry of Culture and Sports (MCS), the Supreme Committee for Delivery and Legacy (SC), Qatar Olympic Committee (QOC) and Aspire Zone Foundation (AZF).
 
The forum, which showcases investment opportunities in the sports sector, brings together a number of investors, businessmen and entrepreneurs as well as representatives from local and international companies.
 
The forum aims to provide a networking platform for representatives from both the public and private sector, from various specializations to support Qatar’s efforts in promoting the development of the sports sector and enhance the contribution of local companies in major development projects in line with Qatar National Vision of 2030.
 
In this context, the Ministry of Economy and Commerce, in cooperation with its strategic partners, has identified 83 commercial and investment opportunities in the sports sector, a market which will be worth 72 billion Qatari riyals by 2023.
 
Investment opportunities include the construction of sports venues, expected to account for the largest number of projects over the next five years with a market worth exceeding 30 billion riyals.
 
This will allow the same sector to provide numerous investment opportunities, with an estimated market value that exceeds 10 billion riyals pertaining to mechanical, electrical and sanitary equipment, pitch maintenance, services, benches, lighting, air conditioning and heating among other services.
 
In addition, the venue operations and maintenance sector offers investment opportunities that exceed 5 billion Qatari riyals.
 
The Ministry of Economy and Commerce, has highlighted that the sport development sector, a market worth 3 billion riyals, offers investment opportunities including activities such as training, education, sports medicine, the collection and analysis of sports data, and sport tourism.
 
The sports events management sector offers significant opportunities for the local private sector through the implementation of joint investment projects with international companies. The market is estimated at almost 14 billion riyals in addition to sport tourism and sport marketing projects, estimated at 2.5 billion riyals over the next seven years. The sporting goods and equipment sector is estimated to reach 14 billion riyals by 2023. The latter provides many investment opportunities to local companies.
 
 

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Under the patronage of His Excellency Sheikh Abdullah Bin Nasser Bin Khalifa Al-Thani, Prime Minister and Minister of Interior, the Ministry of Economy and Commerce (MEC) is organizing the Sport Business Opportunities Forum on Sunday the 22nd of May, 2016 in partnership with the Ministry of Culture and Sports (MCS), the Supreme Committee for Delivery and Legacy (SC), Qatar Olympic Committee (QOC) and Aspire Zone Foundation (AZF).
The organization of the forum comes in conjunction with recent developments witnessed by the sports sector in the State of Qatar. These developments include plans to host various international sporting events over the next 7 years, including the 2018 Gymnastics World Championships, the 2019 World Championships in Athletics and the 2022 FIFA World Cup, in addition to more than 30 local, regional and international sporting events, hosted in Qatar each year.
With the emergence of the role of the sports sector as a key driver of development in the State of Qatar, the Ministry of Economy and Commerce is keen to capture and make the best use of available investment opportunities in the sports sector.
Opportunities include the management and operation of current and future sports facilities in order to achieve economic diversification and position Qatar as a global sports hub, in line with Qatar National Vision 2030.
The Ministry of Economy and Commerce has conducted an in-depth study in collaboration with the Ministry of Culture and Sports, the Supreme Committee for Delivery and Legacy, Qatar Olympic Committee and Aspire Zone Foundation on available investment opportunities in the sports sector. Accordingly, the Ministry of Economy and Commerce has indicated that the expected market size of the sports sector could reach approximately 72 billion Riyals by 2023.
Furthermore, the ministry has identified 83 commercial, investment opportunities directly from the government sector to the private sector. The investment opportunities have been classified into seven sectors:
 Management and promotion of sporting eventsSport developmentEstablishment and construction of sports facilitiesMerchandise and sports equipmentSports marketingSport tourismOperation and maintenance of sports facilitates

 

 

 

The Ministry of Economy and Commerce has also prepared action plans for 30 investment opportunities, with a market requirement worth 22 billion Riyals to 30 billion Riyals, and aims to presents these plans to participants at the Sport Business Opportunities Forum.

In this context, it is noteworthy to mention that a series of workshops will be held during the forum with the private sector to shed light on relevant and key investment opportunities that are available in Qatar’s sports sector.

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The Ministry of Economy and Commerce, in collaboration with Almana Motors Company, dealer of Ford vehicles in Qatar, has announced the recall of Ford f150 models of 2015 because the speedometer needle height is below specification in some vehicles.
The ministry said the recall campaign comes within the framework of its ongoing efforts to protect consumers and ensure that car dealers follow up on vehicle defects and repairs.
The ministry said that it will coordinate with the dealer to follow up on the maintenance and repair works and will communicate with customers to ensure that the necessary repairs are carried out.
The ministry has urged all customers to report any violations to its Consumer Protection and Anti-Commercial Fraud Department.
Call Center: 16001
Email: info@mec.gov.qa
Social media accounts:
Twitter: @MEC_Qatar
Instagram: MEC_Qatar
Ministry of Economy and Commerce mobile app for Android and IOS: MEC_Qatar

The Ministry of Economy and Commerce has announced the one month administrative closure of a showroom, located in Salwa Street as well as a number of warehouses operated by a well-known commercial agent over the storage and sale of expired tires.
                
The closures comes within the framework of inspection campaigns carried out by the ministry in an effort to monitor markets and commercial activity in the State of Qatar; in a bid to offset price manipulation and crackdown on violations pertaining to counterfeit goods and non-conformance with standard specifications.
 
Inspectors from the Ministry seized 4900 counterfeit tires, fined the agent and compelled the closure of the showroom and warehouses for a one month period in line with article (6) of law number (8) of 2008. The law prohibits the sale, display and promotion of counterfeit and fraudulent products. A product is considered fraudulent if it fails to meet the standards or has expired.
 
The administrative closure is published on the ministry’s website as well as two daily newspapers at the offending store’s own expense in line with article (3) of law no (8) on consumer protection.

The ministry stated that it is determined to protect consumer rights and will intensify its inspection campaigns to crack down on all violations of the consumer protection law. The Ministry said it will refer violators of laws and ministerial decrees to the competent authorities, who will take appropriate action against perpetrators in order to protect the rights of consumers.
 
The Ministry of Economy and Commerce urges all consumers to report any violations to its Consumer Protection and Anti-Commercial Fraud department and send complaints and suggestions through the following communication channels:
 
– Call center: 16001
– Email: info@mec.gov.qa
– The accounts of the Ministry of Economy and Commerce on social media networks
– Twitter MEC_QATAR
– Instagram MEC_QATAR
-The applications of the Ministry of Economy and Commerce on smart phones available on iPhone and Android devices MEC_QATAR
 

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The Ministry of Economy and Commerce, in collaboration with Nasser Bin Khaled Automobiles, dealer of Mercedes Benz vehicles in Qatar, has announced the recall of Mercedes-Benz C-Class and GLK-Class models of 2008-2009 because a function impairment may occur in the SRS control module.
 
The ministry said the recall campaign comes within the framework of its ongoing efforts to protect consumers and ensure that car dealers follow up on vehicle defects and repairs.
 
The ministry said that it will coordinate with the dealer to follow up on the maintenance and repair works and will communicate with customers to ensure that the necessary repairs are carried out.
 
The ministry has urged all customers to report any violations to its Consumer Protection and Anti-Commercial Fraud Department.
 
Call Center: 16001
Email: info@mec.gov.qa
Social media accounts:
Twitter: @MEC_Qatar
Instagram: MEC_Qatar
Ministry of Economy and Commerce mobile app for Android and IOS: MEC_Qatar
 

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The Ministry of Economy and Commerce, in collaboration with Fifty One East Service Center, has announced the recall of VGP-BPS26 battery packs for Sony Vaio laptops due to the overheating of battery packs.
Models that may have been sold together with an affected battery pack at the time of purchase are the SVE1413 and SVE1513 Series.
Models that may have been equipped with an affected battery pack during repair are:VPCCB14/3/2/ SeriesSVE14113/2/ SeriesSVE14A13/2/ SeriesSVE15123/ SeriesVPCEH12/ SeriesSVE17123/ seriesVPCEJ12/ Series 
 
The ministry said the recall campaign comes within the framework of its ongoing efforts to protect consumers and ensure that dealers follow up on product defects and repairs.
 
The ministry said that it will coordinate with the service center to follow up on the maintenance and repair works and will communicate with customers to ensure that the necessary repairs are carried out.
 
The ministry has urged all customers to report any violations to its Consumer Protection and Anti-Commercial Fraud Department.
 
Call Center: 16001
Email: info@mec.gov.qa
Social media accounts:
Twitter: @MEC_Qatar
Instagram: MEC_Qatar
Ministry of Economy and Commerce mobile app for Android and IOS: MEC_Qatar
 

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The Ministry of Economy and Commerce, in collaboration with Almana Motors Company, dealer of Ford vehicles in Qatar, has announced the recall of Ford Edge – Lincoln MKX 2007-2008 models to inspect the fuel tank for corrosion and conduct repairs.
 
The ministry said the recall campaign comes within the framework of its ongoing efforts to protect consumers and ensure that car dealers follow up on vehicle defects and repairs.
 
The ministry said that it will coordinate with the dealer to follow up on the maintenance and repair works and will communicate with customers to ensure that the necessary repairs are carried out.
 
The ministry has urged all customers to report any violations to its Consumer Protection and Anti-Commercial Fraud Department.
 
Call Center: 16001
Email: info@mec.gov.qa
Social media accounts:
Twitter: @MEC_Qatar
Instagram: MEC_Qatar
Ministry of Economy and Commerce mobile app for Android and IOS: MEC_Qatar

Under the patronage of His Excellency Sheikh Abdullah Bin Nasser Bin Khalifa Al Thani, Prime Minister and Minister of Interior, the Ministry of Economy and Commerce is organizing the Sport Business Opportunities Forum on May 22, 2016, in partnership with the Ministry of Culture and Sports, the Supreme Committee for Delivery and Legacy, Qatar Olympic Committee and Aspire Zone Foundation.

The Forum is expected to attract a large number of participants including prominent businessmen, investors and entrepreneurs along with owners of major local and foreign companies.

The forum aims to explore investment opportunities in the sports sector and to highlight Qatar’s efforts toward strengthening public private sector partnerships and supporting the sports sector, which represents a key pillar of the state’s diversification policy in line with Qatar National Vision 2030.

The forum also provides a platform for communication for partners from both the public and private sectors, to explore investment opportunities in various areas of the sports sector including: events management, sports development, the establishment of sports facilities and facilities management.

The Forum is consistent with Qatar’s growing role in hosting major international sporting events such as the 2019 World Championships in Athletics and the 2022 FIFA World Cup.

The Forum is open for public attendance and participation. To register for the event, visit the following website:www.sc.qa/sbof​

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The Ministry of Economy and Commerce has announced the one-month administrative closure of a beauty centre, located in Al Markhiya for displaying and selling expired hair products.
 
The closure comes within the framework of inspection campaigns carried out by the ministry in an effort to monitor the market and commercial activity in the State of Qatar; in a bid to offset price manipulation and expose violations pertaining to counterfeit goods and non-conformance with standard specifications.
 
Inspectors from the ministry fined the beauty centre and compelled its closure for a two-week period in line with article (7) of law number (8) of 2008. The law prohibits suppliers of goods from selling, displaying, offering or advertising corrupt or fraudulent products. Products are considered corrupt if they do not conform with standards specifications, are unusable or have expired.
 
The administrative closure is published on the ministry’s website as well as two daily newspapers at the offending centre’s own expense in line with article (3) of law no (8) on consumer protection.

The ministry stated that it is determined to protect consumer rights and will intensify its inspection campaigns to crack down on all violations of the consumer protection law. The ministry said it will refer violators of laws and ministerial decrees to the competent authorities, who in turn will take appropriate action against perpetrators in order to protect the rights of consumers.
 
The Ministry of Economy and Commerce urges all consumers to report any violations to its Consumer Protection and Anti-Commercial Fraud department and send complaints and suggestions through the following communication channels:
 
– Call Center: 16001
– Email: info@mec.gov.qa
– The accounts of the Ministry of Economy and Commerce on social media networks
– Twitter MEC_QATAR
– Instagram MEC_QATAR
-The applications of the Ministry of Economy and Commerce on smart phones available on iPhone and Android devices MEC_QATAR

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The Ministry of Economy and Commerce has announced the one week administrative closure of a beauty centre, located in Al Mamoura for displaying and selling expired products.
 
The closure comes within the framework of inspection campaigns carried out by the ministry in an effort to monitor the market and commercial activity in the State of Qatar; in a bid to offset price manipulation and expose violations pertaining to counterfeit goods and non-conformance with standard specifications.
 
Inspectors from the ministry fined the beauty centre and compelled its closure for a one-week period in line with article (7) of law number (8) of 2008. The law prohibits suppliers of goods from selling, displaying, offering or advertising corrupt or fraudulent products. Products are considered corrupt if they do not conform to standard specifications, are unusable or have expired.
 
The administrative closure is published on the ministry’s website as well as two daily newspapers at the offending centre’s own expense in line with article (3) of law no (8) on consumer protection.

The ministry stated that it is determined to protect consumer rights and will intensify its inspection campaigns to crack down on all violations of the consumer protection law. The ministry said it will refer violators of laws and ministerial decrees to the competent authorities, who will in turn take appropriate action against perpetrators in order to protect the rights of consumers.
 
The Ministry of Economy and Commerce urges all consumers to report any violations to its Consumer Protection and Anti-Commercial Fraud department and send complaints and suggestions through the following communication channels:
 
– Call Center: 16001
– Email: info@mec.gov.qa
– The accounts of the Ministry of Economy and Commerce on social media networks
– Twitter MEC_QATAR
– Instagram MEC_QATAR
-The applications of the Ministry of Economy and Commerce on smart phones available on iPhone and Android devices MEC_QATAR

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The Ministry of Economy and Commerce, in collaboration with Abdullah Abdulghani & Bros Co W.L.L, dealer of Toyota vehicles in Qatar, has announced the recall of Toyota Avalon 2016 models to check the occupant classification system sensors.
 
The ministry said the recall campaign comes within the framework of its ongoing efforts to protect consumers and ensure that car dealers follow up on vehicle defects and repairs.
 
The ministry said that it will coordinate with the dealer to follow up on the maintenance and repair works and will communicate with customers to ensure that the necessary repairs are carried out.
 
The ministry has urged all customers to report any violations to its Consumer Protection and Anti-Commercial Fraud Department.
 
Call Center: 16001
Email: info@mec.gov.qa
Social media accounts:
Twitter: @MEC_Qatar
Instagram: MEC_Qatar
Ministry of Economy and Commerce mobile app for Android and IOS: MEC_Qatar

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The Ministry of Economy and Commerce, in collaboration with Alfardan Automobiles, dealer of BMW vehicles in Qatar, has announced the recall of BMW 7 Series, models of 2016 over a potential defect in the airbag warning light.
 
The ministry said the recall campaign comes within the framework of its ongoing efforts to protect consumers and ensure that car dealers follow up on vehicle defects and repairs.
 
The ministry said that it will coordinate with the dealer to follow up on the maintenance and repair works and will communicate with customers to ensure that the necessary repairs are carried out.
 
The ministry has urged all customers to report any violations to its Consumer Protection and Anti-Commercial Fraud Department.
 
Call Center: 16001
Email: info@mec.gov.qa
Social media accounts:
Twitter: @MEC_Qatar
Instagram: MEC_Qatar
Ministry of Economy and Commerce mobile app for Android and IOS: MEC_Qatar

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The Ministry of Economy and Commerce intensified its inspection campaigns during the month of April, 2016 in order to ensure the compliance of suppliers (retail outlets) with law number (8) of 2008 on consumer protection.
The inspection campaigns come within the framework of the ministry’s efforts to monitor markets and commercial activity in order to crack down on price manipulation and protect consumer rights.
The nation-wide campaign, led and conducted by inspectors from the ministry, resulted in 78 fines. Violations included missing price tags; raising prices without obtaining the ministry’s approval; issuing incomplete invoices; failing to implement the prices of vegetables and fruits bulletin; failing to comply with the declared price list before and during promotions; displaying and selling expired products; charging consumers higher than advertised; failing to provide spare parts; delays in after sale services; failing to provide replacement vehicles and failing to refund customers,  return or exchange products.
The penalties resulted in administrative closures as well as fines ranging between QR 5,000 and QR 30,000 in line with the applicable consumer protection laws.

The following is a breakdown of the type and number of violations registered in April 2016:
 ViolationsNumberMissing price tags of products and services17Raising prices without obtaining the approval of competent departments8False or misleading product description and advertising8Issuing incomplete bills6Missing or incomplete product description5Non-compliance with the price list of fruits and vegetables7Launching promotions without obtaining the approval of competent departments1Charging customers higher prices than advertised5Expired products1Substandard products1
Expired cream products
 1Expired Silicon products1Not clearly displaying the price of services or products offered3Failing to use Arabic in ads and description of goods and services1
 
Non-compliance with the declared price list before and during promotions2Refraining from selling all or some of the discounted products 1Launching promotions without obtaining the prior approval of competent authorities4Failing to display a clear description of the services offered and their prices1Non-cooperation with judicial officers1Failing to refund customers, return or exchange items1Failing to supply spare parts, delays in after sale services and failing to provide a replacement vehicle1Violating the terms of special promotions1Missing bills1Total78
The ministry also processed 769 complaints and has taken the necessary measures to resolve them.
The ministry stressed that it will not tolerate any violations of the Consumer Protection Law and its regulations, and will intensify its inspection campaigns to crackdown on violations. The ministry said it will refer those who violate laws and ministerial decrees to competent authorities, who will in turn take appropriate action against perpetrators in order to protect consumer rights.
The ministry urges all consumers to report violations to the Consumer Protection and Anti-Commercial Fraud department through the following channels:
– Call Centre: 16001
– Email: info@mec.gov.qa
– The accounts of the Ministry of Economy and Commerce on social networks
         – Twitter MEC_QATAR
         – Instagram MEC_QATAR
– The application of the Ministry of Economy and Commerce on iPhone and Android devices MEC_QATAR

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The Ministry of Economy and Commerce, in collaboration with Mannai Trading Co W.L.L, dealer of GMC vehicles in Qatar, has announced the recall of GMC Envoy models of 2006-2007 over a potential defect in the driver’s door module when subjected to fluids.
 
The ministry said the recall campaign comes within the framework of its ongoing efforts to protect consumers and ensure that car dealers follow up on vehicle defects and repairs.
 
The ministry said that it will coordinate with the dealer to follow up on the maintenance and repair works and will communicate with customers to ensure that the necessary repairs are carried out.
 
The ministry has urged all customers to report any violations to its Consumer Protection and Anti-Commercial Fraud Department.
 
Call Center: 16001
Email: info@mec.gov.qa
Social media accounts:
Twitter: @MEC_Qatar
Instagram: MEC_Qatar
Ministry of Economy and Commerce mobile app for Android and IOS: MEC_Qatar

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The Ministry of Economy and Commerce has announced the one month administrative closure of a garage, located in the Industrial Area for displaying and selling counterfeit spare parts.
 
The closure comes within the framework of inspection campaigns carried out by the ministry in an effort to monitor the market and commercial activity in the State of Qatar; in a bid to offset price manipulation and expose violations pertaining to counterfeit goods and non-conformance with standard specifications.
 
Inspectors from the ministry fined the garage, and compelled its closure for a one month period in line with article (7) of law number (8) of 2008. The law stipulates that suppliers of goods shall clearly display on product labels a clear description of goods and their ingredients and refrain from posting any misleading or false statements.
 
The administrative closure is published on the ministry’s website as well as two daily newspapers at the offending garage’s own expense in line with article (3) of law no (8) on consumer protection.
 
The ministry stated that it is determined to protect consumer rights and that it will intensify its inspection campaigns in order to crack down on all violations of the consumer protection law. The ministry said it will refer violators of laws and ministerial decrees to the competent authorities, who will take appropriate action against perpetrators in order to protect the rights of consumers.
 
The Ministry of Economy and Commerce urges all consumers to report any violations to its Consumer Protection and Anti-Commercial Fraud Department and send complaints and suggestions through the following communication channels:
 
Call Center: 16001
– Email: info@mec.gov.qa
– The accounts of the Ministry of Economy and Commerce on social media networks
– Twitter MEC_QATAR
– Instagram MEC_QATAR
-The applications of the Ministry of Economy and Commerce on smart phones available on iPhone and Android devices MEC_QATAR

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The Ministry of Economy and Commerce organized a workshop on the ‘Art of Stress Management’ on Tuesday as part of its social responsibility efforts.
 
The workshop was attended by a large number of officers and ministry employees and featured lectures presented by mentors from the Family Consulting Center and Qatar Charity.
 
The workshop focused on familiarizing employees with stress management techniques and on equipping participants with essential tools and skills to better allocate time resources with the aim of raising performance levels, maximizing productivity and ensuring the delivery of high quality services to the public.
 
The workshop featured discussions on daily pressures faced by individuals and how to address them, in addition to offering a range of psychological tests to assess the level of stress experienced by an individual and to identify types of stress, including family, social, marital and physical stress.
 
Additional types of stress such as anxiety and decision-making difficulties were addressed during the workshop as well as the sources of stress, whether internal or external, effects, symptoms, consequences and treatment.
 
The workshop featured practical training on how to manage time resources, set life goals, and determine priorities as well as how to achieve these goals.
 
Discussions concluded with a questions and answers session on how to attain desired goals and tasks. Participants also provided solutions during practical training on stress management.

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The Ministry of Economy and Commerce, in collaboration with Abdullah Abdulghani & Bros Co W.L.L, dealer of Toyota and Lexus vehicles in Qatar, has announced the recall of Toyota Sequoia models of 2006 and LEXUS SC 430 models of 2003-2010 over a defect in the passenger side front airbag inflator.
                  
The ministry said the recall campaign comes within the framework of its ongoing efforts to protect consumers and ensure that car dealers follow up on vehicle defects and repairs.
 
The ministry said that it will coordinate with the dealer to follow up on the maintenance and repair works and will communicate with customers to ensure that the necessary repairs are carried out.
 
The ministry has urged all customers to report any violations to its Consumer Protection and Anti-Commercial Fraud Department.
 
Call Center: 16001
Email: info@mec.gov.qa
Social media accounts:
Twitter: @MEC_Qatar
Instagram: MEC_Qatar
Ministry of Economy and Commerce mobile app for Android and IOS: MEC_Qatar

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The new services enable businesses to delete main and branch commercial registrations, add new commercial activities and issue replacements for lost licenses.
 
The Ministry of Economy and Commerce has announced the launch of new mobile services that enable businesses to delete main and branch commercial registrations, add new commercial activities and issue replacements for lost commercial licenses, through its mobile application. The services are available via the app on both iPhone and Android devices under the name MEC_QATAR. The services enable users to process requests online at any time without the need to visit the ministry or any of its branch offices.
The new services are part of a number of smart-phone applications provided by the ministry in order to improve business processes in the State of Qatar as well as streamline and speed-up business incorporation procedures thereby promoting Qatar’s business and investment environment.
The Ministry of Economy and Commerce has launched a selection of smart electronic services, representing a quantum leap forward with respect to the means of communication between the ministry and the public; whether they are consumers, investors or simply those of whom who are interested in economic affairs.
Users are able to access a basket of unique electronic services; for instance issuing and renewing commercial licenses and records, accessing commercial company records, searching for commercial names, accessing company details as well as certificates of non-ownership; in addition to a variety of administrative services that enable entrepreneurs to manage their businesses easily and conveniently.
The Ministry of Economy and Commerce has recently won a number of awards for its mobile application on iPhone and Android devices including first prize in the “best smartphone application” category in the Arab Region.
 
The award was presented at the 7th edition of the Smart Government Excellence Awards that was organized in the city of Kuwait in April under the patronage of His Excellency Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah Al-Mubarak Al-Sabah, Kuwait’s Minister of State for Cabinet Affairs.
 
Last February, the Ministry of Economy and Commerce received the Best Mobile-Government Service Award across the Arab world in the economy and trade category in recognition of its mobile application on iPhone and android. The award was presented during the 4th edition of the World Government Summit held in Dubai, UAE under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice- President of the United Arab Emirates, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai.
 
The awards reflect the ministry’s efforts in developing Qatar’s business sector, in line with its vision to build a diversified and unique business environment that is attractive to investors. Launched mid-last year, the mobile application is one of the most important and innovate initiatives implemented by The Ministry of Economy and Commerce, according to the highest international standards.

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The Ministry of Economy and Commerce, in collaboration with Almana Motors Company, dealer of Ford vehicles in Qatar, has announced the recall of Ford f150, 2015 models over a defect in the front seat belts.
 
The recall campaign includes vehicles with the following chassis numbers:
 1FTEW1EF0FFA466521FTEW1EF2FFA466361FTEW1EF2FFA466531FTEW1EF2FFA466671FTEW1EF3FFA466591FTEW1EF4FFA466371FTEW1EF7FFA466641FTEW1EF4FFA466401FTEW1EF4FFA466541FTEW1EF5FFA466631FTEW1EF6FFA466411FTEW1EF6FFA466551FTEW1EF8FFA466391FTEW1EF8FFA466561FTEW1EF9FFA466511FTEW1EF9FFA46665
 
 
The ministry said the recall campaign comes within the framework of its ongoing efforts to protect consumers and ensure that car dealers follow up on vehicle defects and repairs.
 
The ministry said that it will coordinate with the dealer to follow up on the maintenance and repair works and will communicate with customers to ensure that the necessary repairs are carried out.
 
The ministry has urged all customers to report any violations to its Consumer Protection and Anti-Commercial Fraud Department.
 
Call Center: 16001
Email: info@mec.gov.qa
Social media accounts:
Twitter: @MEC_Qatar
Instagram: MEC_Qatar
Ministry of Economy and Commerce mobile app for Android and IOS: MEC_Qatar

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The Ministry of Economy and Commerce, in collaboration with Alfardan Sports Motors, dealer of Maserati vehicles in Qatar, has announced the recall of Maserati Quattroporte and Ghibli models of 2014-2016 over the possible movement of the pedal cover and front floor mats.
 
The ministry said the recall campaign comes within the framework of its ongoing efforts to protect consumers and ensure that car dealers follow up on vehicle defects and repairs.
 
The ministry said that it will coordinate with the dealer to follow up on the maintenance and repair works and will communicate with customers to ensure that the necessary repairs are carried out.
 
The ministry has urged all customers to report any violations to its Consumer Protection and Anti-Commercial Fraud Department.
 
Call Center: 16001
Email: info@mec.gov.qa
Social media accounts:
Twitter: @MEC_Qatar
Instagram: MEC_Qatar
Ministry of Economy and Commerce mobile app for Android and IOS: MEC_Qatar

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The Ministry of Economy and Commerce, in collaboration with Abdullah Abdulghani & Bros Co W.L.L, dealer of Lexus vehicles in Qatar, has announced the recall of LEXUS Es 350 models of 2016 to check the brake actuator.
 
The ministry said the recall campaign comes within the framework of its ongoing efforts to protect consumers and ensure that car dealers follow up on vehicle defects and repairs.
 
The ministry said that it will coordinate with the dealer to follow up on the maintenance and repair works and will communicate with customers to ensure that the necessary repairs are carried out.
 
The ministry has urged all customers to report any violations to its Consumer Protection and Anti-Commercial Fraud Department.
 
Call Center: 16001
Email: info@mec.gov.qa
Social media accounts:
Twitter: @MEC_Qatar
Instagram: MEC_Qatar
Ministry of Economy and Commerce mobile app for Android and IOS: MEC_Qatar

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The Ministry of Economy and Commerce, in collaboration with Mannai Trading Co W.L.L, dealer of Hummer vehicles in Qatar, has announced the recall of Hummer H3/H3 T models of 2006-2010 over a defect in the connector module which controls the air-condition blower motor speed.
 
The ministry said the recall campaign comes within the framework of its ongoing efforts to protect consumers and ensure that car dealers follow up on vehicle defects and repairs.
 
The ministry said that it will coordinate with the dealer to follow up on the maintenance and repair works and will communicate with customers to ensure that the necessary repairs are carried out.
 
The ministry has urged all customers to report any violations to its Consumer Protection and Anti-Commercial Fraud Department.
 
Call Center: 16001
Email: info@mec.gov.qa
Social media accounts:
Twitter: @MEC_Qatar
Instagram: MEC_Qatar
Ministry of Economy and Commerce mobile app for Android and IOS: MEC_Qatar

 
Kuwait, April 27, 2016: His Excellency Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah Al-Mubarak Al-Sabah, Kuwait’s Minister of State for Cabinet Affairs, has honored Qatar’s Ministry of Economy and Commerce at the Smart Government Excellence Awards for winning first prize in the “best smartphone application” category in the Arab Region.
 
The award was presented at the 7th edition of the Smart Government Excellence Awards that was organized in the city of Kuwait under the patronage of His Excellency the Minister of State for Cabinet Affairs in the State of Kuwait, and in cooperation with the Central Agency for Information Technology and the pan Arab Excellence Awards Academy.
 
The award highlights the Ministry’s success in providing smart and innovative services that contribute to the development of Qatar’s business sector in line with its vision to build a diversified economy and a self-sustaining private sector within the framework of a competitive business environment. The mobile phone application, which was launched in mid-2015 last year according to the highest international standards, is regarded as one of the most innovative projects launched by the Ministry of Economy and Commerce, and is continuously developed and improved.
 
The mobile phone application offers a unique combination of smart e-services to investors, businessmen and consumers. These vital services include: submitting requests for the issuance and renewal of commercial licenses in a limited amount of time as well as uploading all required documents through the application. The service reduces the time and effort required by investors and contributes to the promotion of efficiency and productivity given that the Ministry schedules a date for site inspection less than 24 hours upon submitting the online application.
 
The mobile phone application also allows users to request or renew commercial registrations by filling out the required data online and processing the payment through the application to obtain a printable copy of the commercial registration through e-mail.
 
The mobile phone application also allows investors in Qatar and abroad to start-up companies, search for a commercial name or activity, submit complaints, and complete procedures for obtaining supply services.
 
Users can also access various international reports and economic indicators and stay up to date with the ministry’s latest news recall and closure campaigns as well as the latest economic developments on a local, regional and global level.
 
The Smart Government Excellence Awards is a competition designed to assess and highlight the efforts of Arab governments and official institutions that have established a presence online and on social media platforms to provide services to citizens and residents.
 
The competition also aims to encourage Arab governments to launch new websites, social networking accounts and smart applications across the Arab world as well as to draw on the global digital revolution to promote sustainable development in the Arab countries and enhancing joint Arab action.
 
Last February, the Ministry of Economy and Commerce received the Best Mobile-Government Service Award across the Arab world in the economy and trade category in recognition of its mobile app on iPhone and android. The award was presented during the 4th edition of the World Government Summit held in Dubai, UAE under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice- President of the United Arab Emirates, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai.
 

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The Ministry of Economy and Commerce, in collaboration with Al Boraq Automobiles Co. W.L.L, dealer of Porsche vehicles in Qatar, has announced the recall of Porsche Cayenne models of 2011-2016 to check the circlip on the bearing bracket for pedals. A new circlip may have to be installed if needed.
 
The ministry said the recall campaign comes within the framework of its ongoing efforts to protect consumers and ensure that car dealers follow up on vehicle defects and repairs.
 
The ministry said that it will coordinate with the dealer to follow up on the maintenance and repair works and will communicate with customers to ensure that the necessary repairs are carried out.
 
The Ministry has urged all customers to report any violations to its Consumer Protection and Anti-Commercial Fraud Department.
 
Call Center: 16001
Email: info@mec.gov.qa
Social media accounts:
Twitter: @MEC_Qatar
Instagram: MEC_Qatar
Ministry of Economy and Commerce mobile app for Android and IOS: MEC_Qatar

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The Ministry of Economy and Commerce celebrated World Intellectual Property Day, an event which aims to enhance the protection of intellectual property rights and to promote its adoption on a large scale. This year’s ceremony was held under the slogan “Creativity beyond Borders.”
 
In this context, the ministry held a seminar on the 26th of April, 2016 at the Marriott Marquis Hotel. Qatar Scientific Club, Qatar Foundation for Education, Science and Community Development, the General Authority of Customs and the intellectual property agent’s office, in addition to a number of innovators and those of whom are interested in the field of intellectual property rights participated in the seminar.
 
The ministry held a presentation during the seminar, to highlight the important role of intellectual property rights in boosting economic activity in the State of Qatar as well as the ministry’s role in developing and offering various services to applicants pertaining to the field of intellectual property rights.
 
The ministry also shed light on the regulatory framework governing intellectual property rights in Qatar as well as the advancement of services provided to applicants in the various areas of intellectual property such as patent applications, trademarks and copyrights.
 
During the presentation, the Ministry elaborated on the role of intellectual property rights as an essential component of global trade, and a new source of wealth and power, in addition to its contribution to the creation of new competitive markets and to increasing investments and income.
 
Representatives from Qatar Scientific Club, Qatar Foundation for Education, Science and Community Development, the General Authority of Customs, the intellectual property agent’s office and a number of innovators and authors, in addition to those of whom are interested in the field of intellectual property rights discussed the importance of promoting intellectual property rights in the State of Qatar.
 
Participants praised the ministry for its role in facilitating procedures relating to the submission of applications for patents, trademarks and author rights as well as for exchanging views and feedback on the latest developments and proposals.
 
At the end of the seminar, a number of inventors, authors and patent recipients presented models of their inventions and compositions of their work to the audience.
 
The Ministry of Economy and Commerce also organized a two-day exhibition that kicked off on the 26th of April at Landmark Mall to familiarize the public with the various services offered to promote intellectual property rights such as procedures relating to the submission of patent applications and trademark registration.
 
It is noteworthy to mention that World Intellectual Property Day is celebrated on an annual basis, since the year 2000 with the aim of spreading awareness about the concept of intellectual property rights protection among copyright holders or those interested in innovative, artistic or literary areas of intellectual property rights, encouraging and enabling them to protect their inventions.
 
 

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The Ministry of Economy and Economy will hold a two-day ceremony on April 26 and 27 entitled “Creativity beyond Borders” to mark World Intellectual Property Day – which aims to enhance the protection of intellectual property rights and to promote its adoption on a large scale.
 
The celebrations will feature a seminar that will take place on April 26, 2016 at the Marriott Marquis Hotel with the participation of Qatar Scientific Club, Qatar University, Qatar Foundation for Education, Science and Community Development as well as a number of innovators, experts and those of whom are interested in the field of intellectual property rights.
 
The Ministry of Economy and Commerce will also organize a two-day exhibition on April 26 and 27 at Landmark Mall to familiarize the public with the various aspects of intellectual property rights.

The Ministry invites the public to attend the exhibition to take part in World Intellectual Property Day celebrations in order to learn and increase their knowledge about the importance of intellectual property rights.
 
World Intellectual Property Day is celebrated on an annual basis since the year 2000 with the aim of spreading awareness about the concept of intellectual property rights protection among copyright holders or those interested in innovative, artistic or literary areas of intellectual property rights, encouraging and enabling them to protect their inventions.

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Doha, Qatar; April 24, 2016: The Ministry of Economy and Commerce has signed a strategic partnership agreement with “LinkedIn” – the world’s largest and most effective professional network in a bid to strengthen its position as a leader in attracting qualified professionals in Qatar and to support its efforts in communicating with the ministry’s employees and to reinforce its corporate identity as an entity that is attractive to qualified professionals.
Under the agreement, the Ministry of Economy and Commerce will work in order to take advantage of specialized workshops that will be offered to the ministry’s employees and affiliates by “LinkedIn.” The ministry will also benefit from the solutions offered by the “LinkedIn” platform in attracting qualified professionals from all disciplines, and to help employees create and develop their professional profiles on the site, which will contribute to reflecting the positive work environment that is provided by the ministry and help attract and retain more qualified professionals in the future.
Mr. Tariq Abdulaziz Al-Sada, Director of Public Relations and Communication at the Ministry of Economy and Commerce said that the strategic partnership agreement will allow the ministry to gain access to the finest professional talent as well as help highlight to employees at the ministry the importance of vocational and career planning which will have a positive effect on the ministry and the State of Qatar as a whole as it will help educate and inform the public about the ministry’s biggest initiatives as well as the various services offered.
In turn, Mr. Rajai El Khadem, Head of Public Sector in LinkedIn MENA said: “We are proud at “LinkedIn” to collaborate with the Ministry of Economy and Commerce through this partnership agreement that will help deliver the ministry’s message to a larger segment of the public. We hope to support the ministry’s development plans at a professional level and allow the ministry’s employees the opportunity to join “LinkedIn” and to communicate among each other via the world’s largest professional communication network, which represents an added value to the services they provide, in addition to opening up new prospects for individuals to share their experiences with their counterparts around the world and to communicate with countless professionals, particularly within the region, in their mother tongue through the Arabic version of the “LinkedIn” site.
It is worth mentioning that members of the “LinkedIn” network from the Middle East and North Africa have surpassed 17 million members. The network brings together industry leaders and some of the most influential personalities from the Arab world, as part of LinkedIn’s most influential people list.

 
The Ministry of Economy and Commerce, in collaboration with Almana Motors Company dealer of Peugeot vehicles in Qatar, has announced the recall of all Peugeot models of 2010 – 2014 due to a defect in the temperature sensor.
 
The Ministry said the recall campaign comes within the framework of its ongoing efforts to protect consumers and ensure that car dealers follow up on vehicle defects and repairs.
 
The Ministry said that it will coordinate with the dealer to follow up on the maintenance and repair works and will communicate with customers to ensure that the necessary repairs are carried out.
 
The Ministry urges all customers to report any violations to its Consumer Protection and Anti-Commercial Fraud Department through the following channels:
 
Hotline: 16001
Email: info@mec.gov.qa
Social media accounts:
Twitter: @MEC_Qatar
Instagram: MEC_Qatar

Ministry of Economy and Commerce mobile app for Android and IOS: MEC_Qatar

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Ministry of Economy and Commerce announces recall of Chevrolet Malibu 2011-2012 models for the modification of the belt lap anchor tensioner cable
 
The Ministry of Economy and Commerce, in collaboration with Jaidah automotive, dealer of Chevrolet vehicles in Qatar, has announced the recall of Chevrolet Malibu 2011-2012 models for the modification of the belt lap anchor tensioner cable.
 
The Ministry said the recall campaign comes within the framework of its ongoing efforts to protect consumers and ensure that car dealers follow up on vehicle defects and repairs.
 
The Ministry said that it will coordinate with the dealer to follow up on the maintenance and repair works and will communicate with customers to ensure that the necessary repairs are carried out.
 
The Ministry urges all customers to report any violations to its Consumer Protection and Anti-Commercial Fraud Department through the following channels:
 
Hotline: 16001
Email: info@mec.gov.qa
Social media accounts:
Twitter: @MEC_Qatar
Instagram: MEC_Qatar
Ministry of Economy and Commerce mobile app for Android and IOS: MEC_Qatar
 

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The Ministry of Economy and Commerce has announced the administrative closure of a fish restaurant at one of the country’s popular commercial malls for two weeks over the sale of Samman fish labeled as Hamour.
 
The inspection campaign come within the framework of the ministry’s efforts to monitor commercial activities and crack down on consumer right violations, price manipulation, counterfeit products and substandard goods.
 
Inspectors from the Ministry fined the restaurant and compelled its closure for two weeks in line with article 7 of law number of 2008.
 
The law stipulates that suppliers of goods shall clearly display on product labels a clear description of the goods and their ingredients and refrain from posting any misleading or false statements.
 
The restaurant was compelled to publish the administrative closure decision on the ministry’s website and two daily newspapers at its own expense in line with article 3 of law number 8 on consumer protection.
 
The Ministry said it is determined to protect consumer rights and added it will intensify its inspection campaigns to crack down on all violations of the consumer protection law. The Ministry said it will refer violators of laws and ministerial decrees to the competent authorities to take appropriate action against perpetrators in order to protect the rights of consumers.
 
The Ministry of Economy and Commerce urges all consumers to report any violations to its Consumer Protection and Anti-Commercial Fraud department and send complaints and suggestions through the following communication channels:
 
Hotline: 16001
– Email: info@mec.gov.qa
– The accounts of the Ministry of Economy and Commerce on social media networks
– Twitter MEC_QATAR
– Instagram MEC_QATAR
-The applications of the Ministry of Economy and Commerce on smart phones available on iPhone and Android devices MEC_QATAR

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During an inspection campaign conducted by the anti-commercial fraud section of the Consumer Protection Department at the Ministry of Economy and Trade, as part of the ministry’s efforts to monitor markets and economic activities in Qatar in accordance with Law No. 8 of 2008, 32 counterfeit watches carrying labels of famous international brands in addition to 105 counterfeit watch frames were seized in a store at the Old Al Ghanim area.
The sale of counterfeit watches constitutes a violation of the provisions of Article 7 of the law, which pertains to consumer protection and reads: “In exhibiting any goods for trading, the supplier is liable to clearly state, on their cover or pack, the kind, nature and components of the goods and all the information related thereto.
This is required to be made as specified in the Executive Regulations of this law. If the use of goods involves any risks, there should be a clear warning of such risks. Supplier(s) are prohibited from describing, advertising or exhibiting the goods using false or deceptive information.”
HE Sheikh Jassim bin Jabor bin Hassan Al-Thani, director of the Consumer Protection Department, has asserted that the ministry would take all steps needed to protect consumer rights.
 
 

The Ministry of Business and Trade has imposed a prize freeze on 320 food and non-food items ahead of the holy month of Ramadan. The step is an annual initiative of the ministry to keep prices under check and also to help the country’s residents during the holy month of Ramadan.
The decision of the Minister of Business and Trade divides these items into two main categories: food which include cooking oil, flour, milk, chicken, juices and frozen vegetables; and non-food items such as paper towels,aluminum foil, cleaning materials and similar products which are in great demand during Ramadan.
The Ministry has started circulating the new price list to shops, noting that the list will be permanently issued in local newspapers and can be found on the ministry’s website: www.mbt.gov.qa
The Ministry of Business and Trade has also agreed with Widam Food Company to import around 34,000 heads of live sheep of the Arabic types, which are favored by the nationals in particular. These animals will be sold directly to nationals during Ramadan on the basis of their ID cards at designated centres at the public slaughterhouse at the Doha Central market and the Widam slaughterhouses in Al-Shammal and Al-Khor.
The price of a Syrian sheep will be QR950 and that of the Jordanian variety QR850.
Nationals will be able to buy these animals at these rates starting from July 7 until the end of Ramadan. However, these sheep have to be immediately butchered at the designated slaughterhouse to avoid any manipulation or resale of the subsidized item.
To keep prices under check and ensure compliance, the Consumer Protection Department will conduct inspection tours of outlets in the country.

 In the context of the permanent efforts made by the Ministry of Business and Trade, represented by the Consumer Protection Department, to monitor the markets and the economic activities in the State, in order to ensure the consumer profit, the CP department has revealed today a number of violations committed during the month of May 2013. The violations that have been amounted to 80 violations include:

In the context of the permanent efforts made by the Ministry of Business and Trade, represented by the Consumer Protection Department, to monitor the markets and the economic activities in the State, in order to ensure the consumer profit, the CP department has revealed today a number of violations committed during the month of May 2013. The violations that have been amounted to 80 violations include:

As for the complaints received by the Consumer Protection Department, and which have been amounted to 418 complaints, they have been dealt with and transferred to the responsible competent departments for further action.

The 4th CSR conference held under the patronage of HE Sheikh Jassim Bin AbdulAziz Al Thani, Minister of Business and Trade, had been concluded on Wednesday 29/05/2013.
The conference highlighted the importance of the role of the government in establishing the concept of corporate social responsibility and set strategies capable to achieve the vision of Qatar 2030.
The conference thanked MBT and the team working on the preparation of the draft standards of Qatar for corporate social responsibility, stressing on the importance of developing a clear definition of corporate social responsibility in the Qatar, as well as putting micro, small and medium enterprises in consideration among the standards, in addition to give allow civil society organizations to be involved, noting that these standards must be reviewed carefully every four years.
Emphasizing on the recommendations rose during previous conferences on establishing an Award for Corporate social responsibility.
Considering the possibility of integrating corporate social responsibility within the community responsibility for its comprehensiveness.
Spreading social responsibility concept among individuals, society and companies through training courses, workshops as well as through the press and the Media, both audio-visual and social media.
Urging companies and businesses to determine dimensions of their social responsibility carried out deliberately, and according to the environment privacy where it operates, and directing its efforts towards sustainable development goals.
 

 

 
The 4th Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Conference, started here on Tuesday under the theme “Responsible Practices in the Business Community” with the participation of number of local, regional and international expert speakers on CSR as well as organizations working in this field.
HE the Undersecretary of the Business and Trade Ministry, Mr. Sultan bin Rashid Al-Khatir said that the private sector is an important partner and a major contributor to the march of sustainable development. The ministry expects further contribution, from this vital sector, to putting Qatar in the vanguard among the countries of the world in all areas of development.
In his speech in the opening session of the CSR conference, HE the Undersecretary lauded the great achievements in consolidating the culture of corporate social responsibility through constructive cooperation between the ministry and the business community in Qatar.
He pointed that the ministry took the initiative of adopting this concept, which was globally launched by the UN, explaining that the Ministry of Business and Trade has held three conferences those set the rules and the basis of the corporate contribution to the rise of the Qatari  society through the implementation of various social projects that are in the direction of achieving the goals of sustainable development plans leading to the achievement of the goals and objectives of the Qatar National Vision 2030.
For his part, HE Sheikh Khalifa Bin Jassim Al Thani, the Chairman of Qatar Chamber of Commerce and Industry (QCCI) stressed that Corporate Social Responsibility is, first and foremost, a moral obligation, towards the society in which they operate, on investment in human resources, creation of job opportunities and provision of healthy and safe work environment, within commitment to maintaining environment preservation, transparency and combatting financial and administrative corruption.
The assessment of private companies, no longer depends on their profitability, but on their ability to deal with the rapid developments in the economic, technological and administrative aspects, taking into account the three pillars of sustainable development, economic growth, social progress and environmental protection, he added.
In a similar address before the conference, HE Sheikh Khalid bin Khalifa Al Thani, the Director General of Qatargas – Diamond sponsor of the Conference – said that the conference comes at a time of growing local and global interest in CSR, as the classification of companies, is no longer based on only financial performance, but through its clear commitment to the communities and the environment in which it operates.
At the 4th CSR Conference opening session, Qatari Businessmen Association’s member Mr. Salah Mohamed Al-Jaidah, CEO of Qatar Fertilizer Company (QAFCO) and the CEO of ExxonMobile, Qatar Mr. Bart Cahir delivered speeches, in which they presented live examples of CSR stressing its importance to sustainable development.
It should be noted that the fourth CSR conference will address a number of topics including: the role of governments in the implementation of policies and programs of corporate social responsibility, Qatar National Vision 2030 within the framework of the application of the principles of social responsibility, as well as discussing how to build a local network of Qatari companies committed to the principles of social responsibility.
Through multiple sessions, the conference will examine how to take advantage of the practices and experiences of international companies in this regard, in addition to discovering the obligations of companies towards society as defined by international organizations, and other topics including social responsibility as defined by the ISO guidance standard 26000 for corporate social responsibility.
The Ministry of Business and Trade has engaged in organizing the current CSR conference a number of people with special needs, paying attention to that segment of society, within the concept of corporate social responsibility which is witnessing increasing attention in the state.

 
 

 
HE the Minister of Business and Trade Sheikh Jassim bin Abdulaziz Al Thani  announced the launch of  the Al Furjan (residential districts) Markets’ project  within the ministry’s  package of initiatives geared to support the competitiveness and growth of the commercial sector in Qatar.
Remote and sparsely populated areas of the country will soon have large commercial complexes so that people don’t have to travel long distances to access commodities and services of daily need.
The announcement came during a ceremony held by the ministry and attended by HE the Minister of Municipality and Urban Planning Sheikh Abdulrahman bin Khalifa Al Thani, HE the Governor of Qatar Central Bank and Board Chairman of Qatar Development Bank Sheikh Abdullah bin Saoud Al Thani, HE the Board Chairman of  Qatar Chamber of Commerce and Industry Sheikh Khalifa bin Jassim Al-Thani as well as a number of members of  Qatar Chamber of Commerce and Industry, the Business Association and the Association of Business Women.
HE Sheikh Jassim bin Abdul Aziz Al-Thani said the ministry is keen on  launching a number of development projects which will benefit the citizens in particular, and aims to support the growth and competitiveness of the business sector in the state, pointing out that the Al Furjan Markets Project is one of the  pilot projects, which meets the basic needs of commercial services for the residents of  areas  lacking such services.
He added that the project comes as a fruit of cooperation between a number of government bodies and under the directives  of the senior leadership  in collaboration with the Ministry of Municipality and Urban Planning and Qatar Development Bank, pointing out that the initiative is a basic solution to the provision of basic needs for goods and services that are used on almost daily basis  by individuals and families .
HE the Minister explained that the project will contribute, at least partially, to correcting the prices at the shops serving residential areas directly, and aims to provide shops with reasonable rental prices and supportive of sustainable growth in this important segment of the commercial sector.
During the ceremony HE the Minister of Business and Trade and the Chief Executive Officer of Qatar Development Bank Mansour Al Mahmoud signed the  award contract of the Al Furjan Markets Project’s first phase which will be implemented by Qatar Development Bank.
The complexes, to be known as Furjan (neighborhood) markets, will house provision stores, bakeries, butcheries, pharmacies, ATM kiosks, laundries, barber shops, fruits and vegetables vending areas and eateries, among other facilities.
The project is being launched in three phases. The first phase will see 12 complexes coming up in different areas. They will have 122 shops with each complex admeasuring a built-up area of between 2,500 and 3,000 square meters.
In the second phase, some 18 complexes will be built in various localities and will together have 176 shops. Each complex will be spread over an area of 700 to 2,000sqm.
The remaining 14 complexes will be built in the third phase and their sizes will each vary from 3,000sqm to 7,000sqm. They will together have 176 shops.
By the end of all phases, about 290 buildings will be ready.
 

The Ministry of Business and Trade has allowed the return of Kellogg’s Cornflakes back to markets after dispensing the damaged samples which proved not conformed with standards and unfit for human consumption, and which are:

The ministry had withdrawn a number of cornflakes samples of various dates and sent them to the central laboratories of the Supreme Council of Health (SCH) for analysis following complaints about its taste.
As a result of the analysis conducted early last month on the aforesaid product in light of a complaint against it, the ministry proved the existence of ‘rancid’ in some samples, and accordingly the ministry withdrew these products for being invalid and harmful to human consumption.
The ministry has warned the sole agent of the commercial brand and the traders in general to strictly commit to the set standard specifications and the health and safety conditions as well as the sound and good-conditioned storing criteria effective in the markets to maintain the health and safety of the human consumers.

 

HE the Minister of Business and Trade Sheikh Jassim bin Abdulaziz Al Thani had visited HE Senegal’s President Mr. Macky Sall at his residence at St. Regis hotel- Doha.
The two sides reviewed a number of issues on the agenda of the Doha Forum and Enriching the Middle-East’s Economic Future conference. They also discussed means of developing and boosting bilateral relations, especially in the fields of business and trade.
HE the Minister of Business and Trade briefed Mr. Sall on the work of the Business and Trade Ministry and its role in enhancing and developing Qatar’s economy.
For his part, the Senegalese president voiced his keenness on forging strong trade partnership between his country and Qatar.
It should be mentioned that Qatar and Senegal have previously signed an agreement on economic, trade and technical cooperation, and another one on the protection and encouragement of mutual investment. The two countries had also agreed to create a higher joint committee.

 
 
HE Minister of Business and Trade Sheikh Jassim Bin Abdulaziz Al Thani, met on Tuesday 21/05/2013 with each of  Mr. Winston Baldwin Spencer, the Prime Minister and Foreign Minister of Antigua and Barbuda, Moldovan Deputy Prime Minister Mr. Eugen Carpov and Australian Foreign Minister Mr. Bob Carr.
During the three separate meetings, talks dealt with means of bolstering relations between Qatar and these friendly countries in the economic, trade and investment areas. Other issues of mutual concern were also taken up.

 

The Qatar-Bosnia-Herzegovina joint committee on economic, trading and technical cooperation held its third session on 20 – 21 May 2013 within the context of enhancing ties of cooperation between the two countries and as per provisions of the agreement on economic, trading and technical cooperation which was signed between the two countries in 1998.
HE sheikh Jassim bin Abdulaziz al Thani, the Minister of Business and Trade chaired the Qatari side to the meeting whereas Bosnia-Herzegovina side was headed by Mr. Mirko Sarovic the Minister of Foreign Trade and Economic Relations.
During their meeting, the two sides reviewed ties of cooperation in the fields of economy, trade, investment and other related areas. They also highly praised the positive development in the economic and trade relations between the two countries.
The two sides agreed as well to take the necessary steps for further development in economic relations and increase in the volume of trade exchange between the two countries including facilitating the flow of goods, services and investment between the two countries.
They reiterated as well their joint desire to intensify and shore up cooperation in the activation of what has been reached agreements and memoranda of understanding between the two sides.
The two sides also agreed to establish a working team to explore and identify specific opportunities for enhancing bilateral cooperation in the economic field and trade between the two countries, as well as formulating and presenting projects planned to continue to support the potentials.

 

 
Under the auspices of HE the Minister of Business and Trade Sheikh Jassim bin Abdulaziz Al Thani, a regional workshop for Arab countries members of the World Trade Organization (WTO) and countries with observer status opened on Sunday 19/05/2013.
The workshop organized by the Department of International Cooperation and Trade Agreements at the Ministry of Business and Trade in collaboration with the WTO International Trade Training Institute, will be held between 19-23 May in Wyndham Grand Regency hotel..
The workshop comes within the framework of efforts of the Ministry of Business and Trade aimed to organize technical cooperation activities that will support the building of local capacities and deepen the understanding of government employees of the Doha round of WTO negotiations.
About 45 trade negotiations experts from 12 Arab countries are participating in the workshop along with 20 Qatari employees from different government bodies including ministries of business and trade, foreign affairs, economy and finance, energy and industry, environment, the Customs and Ports General Authority, Qatar Petroleum, in addition to representative of the GCC General Secretariat and the Islamic Development Bank.
During the workshop’s five days, four experts from the World Trade Organization will clarify the basic skills of trade negotiations, the good preparation before entering into negotiations, the proper application of such skills to ensure the achievement of the desired objectives of the negotiations, the application of skills on the three main issues of the Doha negotiations agenda.

 

The State of Qatar and the Republic of Hungary, signed on Monday 13/05/2013 an agreement for cooperation in the fields of economy and technological works.
The agreement was signed for Qatar by HE the  Minister of Business and Trade Sheikh Jassim bin Abdulaziz Al Thani, and for Hungary by Minister of state for Climate and Energy Mr. Pal Kovacs.
The agreement aims to establish a cooperation framework between the two countries in the related fields such as facilitating trade and cooperation on energy and industry projects. It also included small and medium size enterprises, tourism, agricultural industries, farming, communications and easing transportation procedures between the two countries.
It also calls for encouraging private sector, businessmen and corporates to explore the possibilities of establishing projects in the fields referred to in the agreement.
The signing of the agreement was a part of the Hungarian official’s visit to Doha.
HE the Minister of Business and Trade said that the current volume of trade between the two countries does not reflect the actual friendship between them, adding that the agreement will open the doors for genuine cooperation in different areas.

In the context of the permanent efforts made by the Ministry of Business and Trade, represented by the Consumer Protection Department, to monitor the markets and the economic activities in the State, in order to ensure the consumer profit, the CP department has revealed today a number of violations committed during the month of April 2013. The violations that have been amounted to 80 violations include:

As for the complaints received by the Consumer Protection Department, and which have been amounted to 413 complaints, they have been dealt with and transferred to the responsible competent departments for further action.

 
The Ministry of Business and Trade organizes the Fourth Conference on Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) during the period from 28 to 29 May, under the title ‘deepening of responsible practices in the business community’, at Four Seasons Hotel – Doha.
HE the Minister of Business and Trade Sheikh Jassim bin Abdulaziz Al Thani said the ministry continues to host this conference in order to stimulate and deepen the culture of social responsibility in the business sector in Qatar and to promote best practices in the business community in the country.
HE the Minister stressed on the importance of private sector’s role in social responsibility and in the creation and development of initiatives, programs and activities that can enhance the concept of corporate social responsibility in Qatar. He also underlined the need for cooperation and joint efforts to educate businesses about corporate social responsibility and how to use them to support economic growth and sustainable development.
The conference will discuss a number of topics, including the role of governments in implementing policies and programs of corporate social responsibility
Establishing a local CSR network in Qatar; applying the principles of social responsibility in the framework of Qatar National Vision 2030; how to benefit from the practices and experiences of international companies in the field of CSR; the obligations of companies to the community as defined by international organizations; and Corporate Social Responsibility as defined by the ISO 26000. 
The Fourth CSR conference will attract a number of local, regional and international expert speakers on CSR as well as organizations working in this field.
 

 

 

 
 
 
During routine inspection raids by CPD officials, the Consumer Protection Department of the Ministry of Business and Trade has booked three big shops dealing on electronic and electric goods, clothes and accessories for duping customers by offering false promotional sales.
The shops which were spotted out have been booked for violating Ministerial Order No 5 of 1984 with respect to selling through promotions and discounts.
In addition, some other shops were also found to be misleading people and violating Law No 8 of 2008 with respect to consumer protection.
All the offending shops had their licenses cancelled according to the law and regulations for the rest of the promotion period.
Based on the above, the CPD stresses the need for companies and businesses operating in the country to respect the laws and regulations regarding sales and promotions, noting that it would not tolerate violations of the law.
It also calls on suppliers to remain committed to credibility and transparency while offering goods so that there will be trust between them and their clients for the promotion of the right business climate in the country.

 

HE Sheikh Jassim bin Abdulaziz al Thani, Minister of Business and Trade, led the Qatari delegation at the meeting of trade ministers held at the headquarters of the General Secretariat of the Cooperation Council for Arab States, in Riyadh, on Wednesday 08/05/2013.
The trade ministers discussed many important topics concerning the future of the business and investment in the GCC countries in order to move forward in achieving the goals and objectives of the council of constructive cooperation for the benefit of all member states.
During the meeting, the ministers also decided to approve the establishment of the joint exhibition of the Gulf Cooperation Council and the mandate of the General Secretariat to take all the necessary arrangements.
They also approved the law concerning anti-fraud uniform commercial code of GCC to be submitted to the supreme council for adoption as a mandatory law uniformly to all GCC countries.
The meeting also agreed on what is stated in the note by the Secretariat on the minutes of the meetings of the WTO committee for the GCC countries at its three meetings held recently about modifying the list of goods included in the information technology and trade facilitation, and the trade policy review of the GCC countries, and the subject of trade preferences, and the law of dumping trade, and dispute related topics.
With regard to the protection of Gulf investments in other countries, the ministers decided to configure a working group to study the issue and submit its recommendations thereon.
With regard to the knowledge economy and discuss the possibility to benefit from the exchange of experiences available to the member states in this regard, it has been assigned to the general secretariat to provide the available plans and strategies in this regard to the working group.
Sheikh Jassim expressed his satisfaction with the meeting outcomes, stressing that it will give a strong impetus to efforts to move forward in achieving the goals that meet the interests of GCC.

Under the patronage of HE Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Hamad bin Jassim bin Jabor Al Thani, HE Minister of Business and Trade Sheikh Jassim bin Abdulaziz Al Thani inaugurated the 10th Project Qatar Exhibition. A number of ranking officials attended the opening ceremony of the event.
 HE the Minister toured the various pavilions of the exhibition and praised the good organization and the level of representation of the exhibition. Some 50 countries and more than 2100 companies participated in the 10th edition of Project Qatar. The exhibition is held in 62000 square meters.
HE the Minister said that the increase in the number of exhibitors each year reflected the status of the Qatari economy, which relies on the integration of the public and private sectors. 
HE also commended the progress made by the private sector in the past few years, particularly after it gained experience by working with companies of national expertise. 

 
Out of the keenness of the Ministry of Business and Trade on the health condition and safety of the consumers and to ensure their rights for good services according to the set standards and specifications, the Ministry of Business and Trade has recommended the withdrawing of the Corn Flakes products now on sale in the markets.
The ministry has earlier received information about rotten smell and rancid in the corn flakes products being on sale in the Qatari markets and immediately it had withdrawn a number of these samples of different dates and sent them to the central labs. of the Supreme Council of Health (SCH) for analysis.
And as a result of the analysis conducted on the aforesaid product in light of a complaint against it, the ministry proved the existence of ‘rancid’ in some samples, and accordingly the ministry withdrew these products for being invalid and harmful to human consumption.
Other analyses revealed that a number of other samples contain high degree of peroxide substance , a clear-cut evidence of the existence of rancid in these products, thus their lack of quality and validity to be left available for human consumption.
Then the ministry has warned the sole agency of the aforesaid trade mark to hurry up withdrawing these products from the markets as per the provisions of the Article No. (14) of Law No. (8) for the year 2008, on consumer protection, which stipulates that ” the supplier is obliged to notify Consumer Protection Department and consumers of any case related to finding manufacturing defect or any other defect that may cause damage or endanger consumers. It shall also be committed to recall all faulty commodities and to announce so immediately”.

 
Within the context of expanding and enhancing ties of friendship and cooperation existing between Qatar and Vietnam and in implementation of the directives of HH the Emir Sheikh Hamad Bin Khalifa Al Thani and President Truong Tan Sang of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam and according to the provisions of the agreement signed between the two countries in 2007 on economic, trade and technical cooperation, the Qatari-Vietnamese joint committee for economic, trade and technical cooperation held a number of meetings during 22 and 23 April 2013.
HE Sheikh Jassim Bin Abdulaziz Al Thani , the Minister of Business and Trade led the Qatari side to these meetings whereas the Vietnamese Minister of Labour, War Invalids and Social welfare Pham Thi Hai Chuyen.
Qatar and Vietnam agreed to take necessary measures for developing further economic ties and shore up trade exchange between them via smoothing and facilitating the flux of commodities, services and investment between the two countries and intensifying joint cooperation to revitalize the agreements and memoranda of understanding reached in the fields of oil, gas, aviation, laborers, the joint businessmen council, food security, agriculture, banking and training.
At the end of the joint committee meetings, the two sides welcomed the accord they concluded on starting consultations to sign agreements on tourism and culture cooperation.
They also agreed to hold the second session of the Qatari-Vietnamese joint committee on economic, trade and technical cooperation in Vietnam in 2015.

 

 
HE the Minister of Business and Trade Sheikh Jassim bin Abdulaziz Al Thani met on Monday 22/04/2013 with HE Mrs. Ekaterina Zaharieva, Bulgarian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Regional Development and Public Works, in the presence of HE Mr. Assen Vassiliev Bulgarian Minister of Economy, Energy and Tourism.
During the meeting, they discussed topics of mutual interest, especially those related to the areas of business and trade, and the ways of enhancing the bilateral relations in these fields.
The State of Qatar and the Republic of Bulgaria are bound by several agreements among them is the Agreement on Economic, Trade and Technical Cooperation, in addition to an agreement on the protection and encouragement of investments.
The value of Qatar’s exports to Bulgaria was amounted to about QAR 8.2 million, while the value of imports from Bulgaria was amounted to QAR 39 million, including ceramic, furniture, lighting and prefabricated buildings.

 

HE the Minister of Business and Trade Sheikh Jassim bin Abdulaziz Al Thani met on Monday 22/04/2013 with Vietnamese minister of Labor, War Invalids and Social Welfare, HE Mrs. Pham Thi Hai Chuyen, on the side line of the meeting of the Qatari-Vietnamese Joint Commission for Economic, Trade and Technical Cooperation.
During the meeting, they discussed topics related to the joint commission’s work in addition to several issues of mutual interest.
The State of Qatar and the Republic of Vietnam are bound by several trade agreements in the economic, trade and investment fields, in addition to an agreement on the protection and encouragement of investments.
The value of Qatar’s exports to Vietnam was amounted to about QAR 737 million in 2012, while the value of imports from Vietnam in 2012 was amounted to QAR 416.4 million,

 

 
 
The State of Qatar and the Republic of the Maldives Signed on Monday 15/04/2013 an agreement on economic, trade and technical cooperation. The Agreement was signed for the State of Qatar by HE the Minister of Business and Trade Sheikh Jassim bin Abdul-Aziz Al Thani, and for the Republic of the Maldives by the Minister of Economic Development Ahmed Mohamed.
The cited agreement aims to establish a framework of cooperation between the two countries, and facilitate transport and construction on the basis of equality and mutual benefits. It also helps to facilitate cooperation in the fields of trade, industry, energy and tourism in addition to small and medium-scale enterprises and communication, besides encouraging private sector and businessmen to explore the prospects of establishing project in the fields referred to in the agreement.
HE the Minister of Businesses and Trade said that the actual volume of trade between the two countries does not reflect the reality and depth of the existing relations between the two countries, adding that the agreement signed today will open genuine opportunities for establishing real projects within the fields of cooperation.
It should be noted that the Maldivian Economic development Minister is currently visiting Doha to discuss aspects of economic, trade and investment cooperation between Qatar and the Maldives.

 
 
The International Cooperation and Trade Agreements Department at the Ministry of Business and Trade organizes in collaboration with the World Trade Organization, a local seminar and workshop for government and private-sector officials at the ministry building during the period 16 – 18 April 2013.
The seminar comes within the framework of the technical support that the ministry seeks to provide for the government and private- sector employees in order to raise their awareness of the WTO conventions and the Global Trading System.
About (30) of government and private-sector officials are participating in the workshop related to “the General Agreement on Trade in Services”, namely from the Ministry of Business and Trade, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Environment, Central Bank, Supreme Council of Information and Communication Technology, Qatar Petroleum, Qatar Chamber of Commerce and Industry, and Small and Medium Enterprises Development Company.
During the seminar, WTO experts will clarify issues related to the General Agreement on Trade in Services, which is one of the WTO agreements, in addition to the negotiations related to the organization and the ways of regional integration in terms of trade in services, with a special focus on some of the service sectors of importance to the State of Qatar.
Many practical and interactive exercises will take place during the workshop in collaboration between the WTO experts and the participants in the seminar.

HE the Minister of Business and Trade Sheikh Jassim bin Abdulaziz Al Thani said  that the practice of commercial activities in the State of Qatar will witness a big qualitative leap during the coming period following the Cabinet’s approval last Wednesday 10/04/2013 of  draft laws of the legal commercial register and commercial stores and similar industrial shops,  prepared by the Ministry’s  Legal Committee.
Sheikh Jassim said the two  draft laws were part of the completion of the ministry’s plan aimed to update legislations, simplify and facilitate procedures for registration and licensing of all commercial and industrial shops, and to attract foreign investment.
HE the Minister of Business and Trade stressed that the abovementioned draft laws took into account the international standards on the basis of which classification of countries is made, in terms of simplifying the starting and doing of business, so as to contribute to raising the rating of Qatar, and to meet the requirements of the political, economic and social changes to realize Qatar National Vision 2030.
HE the Minister of Business and Trade pointed out that the two draft laws contain many privileges for those who want the practice commercial activities, including the ministry’s granting of commercial registration and business license on the same day of submitting the application, provided the fulfillment of all necessary documents and data, saying this will facilitate getting commercial licenses in the state at the earliest time and simplify and facilitate the licensing procedures for opening and managing stores and for attracting capital.
HE explained that the integration of street vendors law into the shops law aims to tighten controls on street vendors by  attaching them to  one of the stores which are subject to the provisions of this law.
“We have been keen, when preparing the new law, on facilitating the exercise of commercial activities through websites according to specific controls and this in turn will help Qatari youth to exercise electronic commerce so as to enhance the state’s intention to move to  a knowledge-based economy,” HE the Minister of Business and Trade said.
HE added that the registration of company subsidiaries will not give them a  legal personality separate from the parent company, noting that the Ministry of Business and Trade will give a six-month period  for the branches established companies to adjust their positions according to the provisions of this law.
 

 
HE the Minister of Business and Trade Sheikh Jassim Bin Abdulaziz Al Thani met on Sunday morning, 14/04/2013, with Mexico’s Former Secretary of Economy Herminio Blanco, who was accompanied by the Mexican Deputy Foreign Minister and Mexican President’s Special Envoy, Lourdes Aranda Bezaury.
During the meeting they exchanged views and discussed aspects of cooperation between the two countries, especially in the economic and trade related areas, in addition to other topics of mutual interest.
The volume of trade exchange between the two countries in 2012 reached QAR 1.897 billion, while  Qatari exports to Mexico valued QAR 1.091 billion and were mainly mineral fuels, lubricants and distilled products. The value of the Qatari imports from Mexico was about QRS 806 million mainly machinery and vehicles.

The Ministry of Business and Trade, and through its inspection campaigns made by the Consumer Protection Department to monitor the activities of the market to ensure its compliance with the laws and regulations, had issued the decision of the administrative closure of (2) shops for violating the provisions of Law No. (8) of 2008 on consumer protection.
 
The closed shops are:

 

Within the framework of the role of the Ministry of Business and Trade in the implementation of the consumer protection laws, the consumer protection department continues its regular inspections to ensure that the suppliers and local traders adhere strictly to the specifications set by the department concerned for the products and services offered by them.
During a routine inspection by the sleuths of the department, the Consumer Protection Department (CPD) at the Ministry of Business and Trade booked 17 shops for selling expired tires in the Industrial Area and seized a large number of the tires.
The shops have been booked under Article 6 of Law No (8) of 2008, which stipulates that: “offering, presenting, promoting or advertising any damaged or rotten merchandises shall be prohibited. The merchandise is considered as damaged or rotten if it is not complied with decided standards or not valid for use or expired”.
Besides, Article 13 of CP laws states that suppliers should comply with health safety and security specifications determined by law.
The department considers items fraudulent if they do not conform to the standards prescribed or are being sold after their expiry dates, and based on that, the CPD has seized the tires to complete the legal procedures against the violators.
The Director of Consumer Protection Department Sheikh Jassim bin Jabor al Thani said that “Companies and businesses in the Qatari market must ensure that the goods and services offered by them to the consumer meet the health and safety norms”.
Sheikh Jassim also called upon all consumers to pay specific attention to the date of production of tires purchased by them, adding that “the consumers need to be sure of the production date of the tyre through the sealed four numbers on the frame. The two digits on the right indicate the year of production, while the digits on the left show the month. These figures are indicative of the expiry of the tires as the life of tires of cars, buses and light trucks must not exceed 24 months from the date of production whereas the life of heavy truck tires expire after 30 months of production”.

In the context of the permanent efforts made by the Ministry of Business and Trade, represented by the Consumer Protection Department, to monitor the markets and the economic activities in the State, in order to ensure the consumer profit, the CP department has revealed today a number of violations committed during the month of March 2013. The violations that have been amounted to 62 violations include:

As for the complaints received by the Consumer Protection Department, and which have been amounted to 389 complaints, they have been dealt with and transferred to the responsible competent departments for further action.

HE Mr. Sultan Bin Rashid Al Khater – Undersecretary of the Ministry of Business and Trade offered on Saturday evening 06/04/2013 at the ministry’s pavilion in the Career Fair, the employment letters for a number of applicants who were successfully hired in the various departments of the ministry.
HE Al Khater said that the priorities of the Ministry leaned towards hiring people with disabilities in order to integrate them into the society and benefit from their skills in building the nation through their work in ministries and state agencies.
The undersecretary said that the Ministry offered 50 jobs this year and hired 13 applicants from 580 ones in the final day of the Career Fair.
HE Mr. / Sultan Bin Rashed Al Khater affirmed that development and prosperity of any country is only made by its qualified national skills, adding that the Ministry of Business and Trade has always sought to attract those competencies to take advantage of them to achieve strategic objectives and thereby accelerate development in the country.
The occasion was attended by Mr. / Abdullah Al Mansouri, Executive Director of the Qatar Career Fair and Mr. / Khalid Shuaibi, person in charge of hiring people with disabilities, in addition to a number of directors of the various departments of the ministry.
It should be noted that the Ministry of Business and Trade revealed on the first day of the fair the preparation of the first pilot edition of law No. (25) for 2005 on the commercial registration printed in Braille.

 
The Ministry of Business and Trade took part in Qatar Career Fair 2013 inaugurated on Monday, April 1st 2013 by HH the Heir Apparent Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani at Qatar National Convention Center, under the slogan “Employ the Present for the Future”.
HE Undersecretary of the Ministry of Business and Trade Mr. Sultan bin Rashid Al Khater stated that the Ministry’s participation comes with the support and follow-up and attention of His Excellency Sheikh Jassim bin Abdulaziz Al Thani, Minister of Business and Trade, within the ministry’s goal to achieve Qatar National Vision 2030 which focuses on human and social development and investment in knowledge.
HE pointed out that the Ministry would seek through its participation this year to prioritize people with special needs by employing them in the Ministry to ensure their active role in the society.
He added that the employment policy pursued by the Ministry aimed at human capacity building and training, adding that the Ministry took into account the link between these policies and the 2011/2016 national development strategy.
HE the Undersecretary underlined the Ministry’s commitment to support and promote Qatarization policy.
The MBT pavilion which will take place in the governmental agencies’ section, pearl category No. G.PO2, has been equipped with laptops, employment forms and different-sized screens showing film about the ministry. It should be noted that cooperation was made in this context with the Al Noor Institute for the Blind to provide special employment applications for blinds to make it easy for applicants to fill out and submit the forms.
On the first day of the Fair, the Ministry unveiled the first pilot edition of law No. (25) for 2005 on the commercial registration printed in Braille.
 

During a periodic inspection made by the consumer protection department at the Ministry of Business and Trade, in line with its aim to protect the consumers and prevent the entry of defective and counterfeit goods in the market,
the CPD has initiated action against a shop selling spurious engine oil. The shop was caught filling containers of a well-known oil company with oil of unknown make, which constitutes a violation ofArticle No. (7) of the Act No. (8) for the year 2008, on consumer protection, which stipulates that :
“Provider, once offering any merchandise for circulation, shall be obliged to state on its cover or packing clearly the merchandise’s type, nature, ingredients and all relevant data as per the executive regulation of this Law.
If the use of this merchandise results in a danger, the provider should warn about that clearly.
The provider shall be prohibited to specify, advertise or offer the merchandise with false or misleading data”.
Youssef Saad al-Suwaidi, head of the Commercial Fraud section at the CPD said that these campaigns are aimed at protecting the consumer’s right to obtain original goods.
For his side, Sheikh Jassim Bin Jabor Al Thani, Director of Consumer Protection at the Ministry of Business and Trade stated that all companies operating in the state must make sure that the merchandise or the service provided to the consumer is completely complied with the declared adopted standards.

 
 
 
The Ministry of Business and Trade has concluded the events that were organizedin the occasion of the eighth GCC Consumer Protection Weekwhich began in the first week of March, in conjunction with the rest of the GCC countries, under the slogan ” Consumer Protection: Rights and Duties “.
 
GCC Week Exhibition
In an effort to protect the consumers from commercial frauds, the Consumer Protection Department at the Ministry of Business and Trade has organized an exhibition cum workshop at Landmark mall to distinguish between counterfeit and original goods.
The department displayed various forms of counterfeit and adulterated items during the exhibition, making the consumers aware about such products.The exhibition also included photographs of seizures and irregularities, in addition to presentations that help the consumers identifying the rights and duties of each of the trader and consumer, in addition to the department’s role in protecting them from commercial frauds.
 
Children Corner
A special children corner was also organized on the sidelines of the exhibition to make children aware about their rights as consumers. Leaflets, brochures and souvenirs were distributed on the occasion.
Participants at the programme were enlightened about methods of detecting fake products by presenting awareness material using modern techniques.
 
Special Offers
It should be mentioned that sales and special offers were also announced in different shopping malls in the country in the occasion of the 8th GCC Week, in cooperation with the CPD.
 
The aim of organizing such events is to raise awareness and educate the local and Gulf consumers about their rights and duties and to identify methods of sound procurement methods and use of services and knowledge of laws and regulations that safeguard their rights as consumers.

 
 
 
           with the Mexican Ambassador                                           with the Brazilian Ambassaor
 
HE Sheikh Jassim Bin Abdul Aziz Al Thani, Minister of Business And Trade met Monday with Mexican Ambassador accredited to the State of Qatar Luis Alberto.
During the meeting, they discussed facets of bilateral cooperation in the investment, economic and trade fields. The Mexican Ambassador conveyed to HE the Minister a message from the Mexican Secretary of Foreign Affairs Jose Kuribrena on cooperation inside international trade organizations.
HE the Minister also met with a delegation from the Federative Republic of Brazil led by permanent representative of Brazil to the World Trade Organization (WTO) Roberto Azevedo.
Azevedo handed over a message from Brazilian Minister of Development, Industry and Foreign Trade Fernando Pimentel to HE the Minister pertaining to facets of cooperation in investment and trade fields.

 
 
Under the auspices of HE Sheikh Jassim Bin Abdul Aziz Al Thani, Minister of Business and Trade, and in the presence of a number of Qatar Chamber and Qatar Businessmen Association representatives, and a large number of board members of public shareholding companies, the Ministry of Business and Trade,in association with Barwa Capital UK, launched yesterday, Monday 25/03/2013, an electronic system to manage the general assemblies and boards of directors of public and private companies in the country. The e-platform – the latest of its kind and a first time application for the region – is designed to facilitate voting and decision-making as well as the election of boards of directors live online .
During the launch ceremony, The Department of Companies Control at  the ministry, in addition toBarwa officials, held a demonstration of the new system.
HE Sheikh Jassim Bin Abdul Aziz Al Thani, minister of business and trade, thanked Barwa and theCompanies Control Department’s management control wing for developing the systems to improve safety applications and contributing to boosting trade and business environment, affirming that the application of new system should be preceded by sufficient trials to ensure smooth flow and safety procedures.
According to HE Sheikh Jassim bin Abdulaziz al-Thani, the ministry is currently redrafting all legislative tools and organizational tasks associated with improving the business environment in the state and in accordance with the role of the ministry in realizing the Qatar National Vision 2030 . “The Ministry of Business and Trade will support and adopt all initiatives to achieve this vision of  sustainable Qatar by 2030,” he said.
The new draft law for commercial companies that is undergoing final touches contains a specific article that mandates to harness the advancement in technology to enhance the country’s business environment. It allows the use of hi-tech  systems, which is an important qualitative leap for holding Ordinary General Assembly Meetings. “This e-system is in line with this decision”, HE said.
Speaking on the occasion, Barwa Real Estate Company CEO Abdullah bin Abdulaziz Subaie said that the new technology will ease voting and decision-making process and will also help to facilitate election of boards of directors. The device can be used for voting and will allow the board members and company shareholders to express their opinions online.
Barwa Real Estate CEO said that Barwa would use the new system at its next general assembly scheduled for next month.
Salem bin Salem al-Manaei, assistant director of Companies Control Department, said that, in addition to voting, the electronic system will be also used to provide shareholders the ability to record the number of their shares through a smart card  which will be specific for each shareholder.
“The system also helps to organize the voting process with precision and organize panel discussions and interventions, extracting statistical reports and supporting documents of the General Assembly,” Al Manaei said adding that “the new draft law for commercial companies allows the use of hi-tech systems, which is an important qualitative leap for holding Ordinary General Assembly Meetings. It will enable companies to comply with the legal regulations.”

 
 
 
In light of the decision No. 32 for 2013 issued by the State Cabinet to set up a committee to control the stock and prices of the construction materials including cement, steel, coarse and fine sand, limestone, bitumen and crushed stones, a committee was set up last year for this purpose and had closely coordinated with various government agencies, mainly the Qatar Statistics Authority, 2022 Qatar Committee and the Central Planning Office at the Ministry of Environment.
The committee’s role was to prepare the index which will monitor pricing and availability of basic construction materials on a monthly basis and issue an alert in advance in case of a sudden shortage of any building material, and ask importers to take immediate steps to meet the shortfall.
In a press conference following its third meeting, the committee stated that it will launch a monthly price index of primary construction materials with the Qatar Statistics Authority, stating that the price index will record all the price fluctuations of materials like cement, steel, limestone and bitumen among other materials. The committee will also estimate the amounts required of these materials up until 2022. Another duty of the committee will be making proposition regarding controlling inflation of these materials.
The committee pointed out that the index will be made available on its mobile application for smartphone users in the near future.
HE Minister of Business and Trade Sheikh Jassim bin Abdul Aziz Al Thani said that launching a price index is crucial because it was a vital tool to warn of inflation. HE the Minister said that the work of the committee in monitoring prices will require strong work with other state departments. The price index will enable those work on major projects having a strategic supply of those materials.
First Report on Construction Materials Prices

 
HE Sheikh Jassim bin Abdulaziz Al Thani, Minister of Business and Trade, met on Sunday morning 17/03/2013, with Minister of Economic Development of the Republic of Azerbaijan Mr. Shahin Mustafayev and his accompanying delegation.
During the meeting they exchanged views and discussed aspects of cooperation between the two friendly countries and the ways of enhancing the bilateral relations, in addition to  trade relations and several issues of common interest.
It should be noted that the volume of trade exchange between the two countries had been amounted to more than  QAR 11 million in 2011, and the value of Qatari exports, mostly inorganic chemical products, were estimated at more than QAR 10 million while Qatari imports from Azerbaijan were valued at nearly  QAR 1.1 million.
The two countries are linked by a number of trade agreements including an  economic, trade cooperation and technical cooperation agreement, an agreement on  the protection and encouragement  of mutual investments, an air transport agreement and an agreement on the avoidance of double taxation and prevention of fiscal evasion.
 

 

 
Minister of Business and Trade HE Sheikh Jassim bin Abdulaziz Al Thani met on Tuesday 12/03/2013 with French Minister for Foreign Trade Nicole Bricq  and her accompanying delegation.
A working luncheon was held in honor of the French Minister and the accompanying delegation attended by a number of Qatari and French businessmen. A number of workshops were also held to discuss the trade relations between the two countries, and the bilateral trade between the two countries which has been amounted to more than QR 9.1 billion in 2011.
It is to be noted that the value of Qatari exports to France is estimated at QR 6.4 billion  led by distillation products and mineral fuels, while imports amounted to around QR2.7 billion.
Qatar and France were linked with a number trade agreements such as economic and trade cooperation and technical agreements  and another one to protect and encourage joint investments.
Several issues of mutual interest  and ways of enhancing them, were also discussed during the meeting.

 
 
 
HE Sheikh Jassim bin Abdulaziz Al Thani, Minister of Business and Trade, and visiting French trade minister Nicole Bricq, presided on Tuesday 12/03/2013 over the formal launch of the e-services of the Ministry of Business and Trade, in the presence of a French business delegation, members of the Qatar Chamber of Commerce and Industry, and several key Qatari businessmen.
Highlighting the features of the new smart applications, the Minister said that the public would now have easy access to information on daily prices of commodities and a better way to register complaints. He added that the ministry prepared also to upgrade it in the next quarter to include in it other services of the ministry: “More innovations will be introduced within the next quarter,” he said.
HE stated that the e-service will prove an effective means of communication between the people and the ministry, and will be a transparent system that seeks to boost competition and offer better services.
HE added that the ministry was concerned about consumers, their rights, complaints and comments, and that the e-service would also help traders improve their operations and services.
For her side, Mrs. Meshael Al Hammadi, director of information systems at the ministry, stated that there is a trained team at the CPD to deal with consumer complaints received through the e-service, download them and process them for action.
Using smartphones, consumers can now access an innovative e-service of the trade ministry in both Arabic and English languages, to compare prices of different items of daily use, including foodstuff, at various shopping complexes and instantly lodge a complaint with the consumer rights’ watchdog if they discover any violation.
Complainants can also click photographs of items with their phones if they are overpriced or past their expiry date, or if any other violation is detected, and forward the images to the Consumer Protection Department (CPD) of the trade ministry to support their complaint and seek punitive action. Complaints can be lodged in Arabic or English by citizens as well as expatriates. 

In the context of the permanent efforts made by the Ministry of Business and Trade, represented by the Consumer Protection Department, to monitor the markets and the economic activities in the State, in order to ensure the consumer profit, the CP department has revealed today a number of violations committed during the month of February 2013. The violations that have been amounted to 102 violations include:
 

 

As for the complaints received by the Consumer Protection Department, and which have been amounted to 299 complaints, they have been dealt with and transferred to the responsible competent departments.

 
HE Minister of Business and Trade Sheikh Jassim bin Abdulaziz Al Thani met on Sunday 10/03/2013 with Bosnia’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Zlatko Lagumdzija , who is currently visiting the country.
During the meeting, they discussed bilateral relations  and ways of enhancing them, besides  a number of issues of mutual interest. It should be mentioned that the government of the State of Qatar and Bosnia and Herzegovina have previously signed an Agreement on Economic, Commercial and Technical Cooperation, in addition to the Investment Promotion and Protection agreement.

Within the framework of the participation of the State of Qatar in the activities of the Gulf Consumer Protection Week that begins in the first of March of each year, the Ministry of Business and Trade organized this year a number of events and activities under the supervision and regulation of the Consumer Protection Department, in celebration of the eighth GCC Consumer Protection Week, held this year, in conjunction with the rest of the GCC countries, under the slogan ” Consumer Protection: Rights and Duties”.
HE Sheikh/ Jassim bin Jabor Al Thani, Director of Consumer Protection Department at the Ministry of Business and Trade, inaugurated the eighth Gulf Week Exhibition at Landmark mall, as an announcement of the launch of the related events that include an exhibition to distinguish between original and counterfeit goods, a photographs exhibition of seizures and irregularities, children’s corner with a guide “Morshed”, lectures, educational visits to schools, in addition to the distribution of brochures, awareness booklets and souvenirs.
It should be noted that coordination was made by the ministry with malls and shops operating in the country for the announcement of special promotions to mark the occasion, especially that such events and programs aim to inform and educate the consumer about his rights and duties as well as the proper ways and positive habits of buying, such as keeping the purchase invoice and making sure of the warranty validity and the right to benefit from the after-sales services in the best way. These events aim also to educate the consumer about the ways of detecting and distinguishing between original, counterfeit and fake goods, thing that helps to consolidate the culture of consumer awareness among the Qatari and Gulf community.
The exhibition attracted many visitors at Landmark, who expressed their appreciation and admiration of the contents of the exhibition and the souvenirs provided to them, as well as the valuable information gained from visiting the exhibition.
The visitors were keen to ask the CPD representatives about the proper ways of buying, noting that most of the questions were centered on the detection methods of the counterfeit goods and the ways to complain to the department. They emphasized that the department spares no effort in receiving and resolving all the problems faced by the consumers according to the related laws and regulations.
The exhibition and associated activities will be held until March 15. The Consumer Protection Department calls the public to visit the exhibition at Landmark and have a look on the Department’s activities organized for the 8th GCC Consumer Protection Week.

 
The Ministry of Business and Trade launched on Monday 04/03/2013 at St. Regis- Doha hotel, the “Qatar Business & Trade 2012” report, in the presence of a number of officials and managers from different government and private agencies, in addition to entrepreneurs and businessmen interested in the trade and economy sectors.
HE Sheikh Jassim Bin Abdul Aziz Al Thani, Minister of Business and Trade said that the report provides an overview of the evolution of the Qatari economy over the past three decades and progress it has made towards meeting the strategic objectives of Qatar.
He added that this study report would provide a context to economic stakeholders and decision-makers with information and statistical data that will facilitate the way forward on our path to growth and sustainable development.
A copy of the report in its Arabic and English versions was posted on the ministry’s website, noting that this report will be updated and published by MBT in a yearly basis. 

 

 
HE the Minister of Business and Trade Sheikh Jassim bin Abdulaziz Al Thani met on Monday 04/03/2013 with HE Mr. Alexander Stubb Finland’s Minister for European Affairs and Foreign Trade.
During the meeting they exchanged views and discussed aspects of cooperation between the two countries, especially in economic and trade fields as well a number of issues of common concern.
It should be mentioned that the State of Qatar and the Republic of Finland have earlier signed an agreement to encourage and protect mutual investments, in addition to another agreement on economic, trade and technical cooperation.
The volume of trade exchange between the two countries reached in 2011 about QR 260 million while the value of Qatari exports to Finland totaled QR 44.5 million with  the value of imports for the same period totaling QR 216 million.

 
HE the Minister of Business and Trade Sheikh Jassim bin Abdul Aziz Al Thani has participated in the ceremony organized by Qatar Telecom company to unveil its new brand (Ooredoo) in Barcelona on the sidelines of the Mobile World Congress.
HE lauded the success achieved by Ooredoo company locally and globally, terming Qatar Telecom’s launch of its unified identity as a milestone in the history of the company, saying it will bring more successes.
HE added that the success of Qatari companies would have positive impact on the Qatari economy, which is one the fastest growing economies of the world.
HE Minister of Business and Trade congratulated HE Ooredoo Chairman Sheikh Abdullah Bin Mohammed Bin Saud Al Thani and his team on their successes and urged them to continue to further enhance the performance of Qatar Telecom.

 
HE Sheikh Jassim bin Abdulaziz Al Thani, Minister of Business Trade, and QU President Prof. Sheikha Abdulla Al Misnad patronized, on Wednesday 20/02/2013 at the ministry’s headquarters, over the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Ministry of Business and Trade and Qatar University represented by the College of Business and Economics.
The signed MoU aims to activate a number of aspects of bilateral cooperation, especially in regards to:
1 – Activating the exchange of experiences between the two parties. Based on that MoU, Qatar University will provide the ministry with data on the expertise of the faculty members at the university, thing that contributes to the researches on best practices in the areas of business policies and builds business databases to enable students to conduct related researches.
2 – Organizing workshops and joint conferences that serve the local and regional business community.
HE Sheikh Jassim bin Abdulaziz bin Jassim bin Hamad Al Thani stressed the significance of the MoU and to start a research partnership between government and academic agencies in order to increase the cognitive and technical depth to deal with the developments and challenges of operational and regulatory work in government agencies.
For her part, Prof. Sheikha Abdulla Al Misnad hailed the cooperation between QU and the Ministry of Business and Trade, which helps advance the growth of the country and keep pace with its vision and ambitions. She added that the role of the university is not limited to the development of a promising Qatari generation, but goes beyond that to include cooperation with all state institutions through active participation in providing high-quality research and technical consultation in line with the implementation the Qatar National Vision 2030.

 

 
HE SheikhJassim bin Abdulazizal-Thani, Minister of Business and Trade,paid an inspectiontour of the new port project inMessaieed, yesterday Tuesday 19/02/2013.HE was accompanied by a number of high-ranked officials among them are HE Sheikh Ali Bin Jassim, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Qatar Navigation Company, and HE Mr. Abdul Aziz Al-Nueimi, President of the Steering Committee of thePort Project, in addition to Mr. Ahmad Al-Mass, General Manager of Qatar Ports Management Company.
The minister was briefed onthe progress made at the projectand the steps being taken tocomplete it by 2016.The steering committee of theport project also presented anexplanation on the policy of procurement,supply and contractsin the port. The minister toured the site and got acquainted with latest developments.
Then Sheikh Jassim bin Abdulaziz Al-Thani presided over a meeting of the membersof the team in charge of the operational plan of the port.They discussed the ad-hoc strategy for an efficient operation mechanismbased on global practices aimed at the best and most efficient exploitationof the port’s capacity.
The minister affirmed that the project represents a port of great importanceas it will support the growth of the local economy and competitivedomestic trade and trade with neighboring countries.He urged all parties concerned to provide support to ensure completionof the project in a way that reflect progress already achieved and witnessedin all areas in Qatar.
 

The high-level legal committee set up by the Ministry of Business and Trade submitted the amended draft law to Minister H E Sheikh Jassim bin Abdul- Aziz Al Thani yesterday, Monday 18/02/2013.
 
The legal committee briefed HE the Minister on the steps taken into consideration while drafting the law as well as its consultations with various institutions.
 
The new draft law was a result of a full year’s work that involved cooperating with other state entities, as the existing company law is eight years old and the ministry wanted to come out with a fresh law of international standards.
 
There has been joint work with the Ministry’s technical departments and an international law firm to prepare a preliminary draft. A high-level legal committee was created from different entities of the country including the Ministry of Business and Trade, Cabinet General Secretariat, Qatar Financial Markets Authority, the Ministry of Economy and Finance, Qatar Central Bank, the Emiri Diwan and experts from other organizations.
 
As the second draft of the law was finalized, it was open for all interested parties and individuals in the country to submit their comments and suggestions. Members of Qatar University, Qatar Chambers and Qatari Lawyers Society participated at this stage, which was conducted last month. Qatar Chambers held a forum to discuss the law at its headquarters on January 29.
 
During this period, the Ministry received 21 e-mails on its website with related remarks. It also received eight written messages, in addition to QC remarks submitted by businessmen during the said forum.
 
For his part, HE the Minister expressed his delight at the progress made so far for developing a new law for commercial companies to reflect the state’s aspirations for economic development.
 
HE added that the new draft law will help in increasing competitiveness in Qatar, and in improving the business cycle. It will also eliminate some of the red tape required for establishing a new commercial company, HE the Minister said. The law also meets the economic and social changes required by Qatar National Vision 2030, as it had taken into consideration necessary international standards.
 
Sheikh Jassim said the Ministry would proceed with the necessary legalities to issue the new law according to the stipulated legal course in the country. He appreciated the efforts of all who had taken part in reviewing the draft of the law.

 
Out of the ministry’s role to protect the consumer’s rights and fight against all defected and counterfeit goods that do not comply with the standard specifications, and out of the ministry’s keenness to oblige all suppliers to comply with the health and safety conditions through all the products and services offered to the consumer,
The Consumer Protection Department at the Ministry of Business and Trade organized several inspection campaigns on shops selling blankets, based on received information, and seized a number of shops selling counterfeit blankets that do not conform to the standard specifications, and that hold notation on the cover stating that the country of origin is (Korea), while the true country of origin of the commodity is (China), which is considered a violation of the provisions of Article No. (7) of Law No. (8) for the year 2008, on consumer protection, which stipulates that:
“Provider, once offering any merchandise for circulation, shall be obliged to state on its cover or packing clearly the merchandise’s type, nature, ingredients and all relevant data as per the executive regulation of this Law. If the use of this merchandise results in a danger, the provider should warn about that clearly”.
AndArticle No. (13) of the same law, which states that:
“Provider shall warrant that the merchandise or the service provided to the consumer shall be complied with the declared adopted standards. They shall be also accountable for incompliance with the conditions relating to public health and safety”.
An official source in the CPD affirmed that department has reached the distributor of such blankets who admitted the crime, adding that penalties were issued to all shops where these products were captured.
He also stressed that the Consumer Protection Department will spare no effort in working to detect fake and counterfeit products that do not conform to the standards through its inspection campaigns organized on all commercial activities.

 
Qatar Shooting and Archery Federation
(Skeet – Trap – Double Trap – Air Gun – Air Rifle
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
 

Qatar Equestrian Federation
 

 

 

 

 
 
Football at Al Garraffa Club
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Out of the keenness of the Ministry of Business and Trade to ensure the application of laws and decisions related to consumer protection, the Consumer Protection Department in the ministry continues its inspections to ensure the commitment of the suppliers to the conditions and specifications that should be respected in the goods and products offered in the market and the commercial complexes.
A number of inspections were made by the CPD inspectors on shops selling computers and accessories, and had resulted in the seizure of a number of counterfeit inks that consists of an imitation of registered trademarks sold as original.
Two trading shops were subject to penalties and were transferred to the security agencies pursuant to Article No. (7) of the Act No. (8) for the year 2008, on consumer protection, which stipulates that :
“Provider, once offering any merchandise for circulation, shall be obliged to state on its cover or packing clearly the merchandise’s type, nature, ingredients and all relevant data as per the executive regulation of this Law.
If the use of this merchandise results in a danger, the provider should warn about that clearly.
The provider shall be prohibited to specify, advertise or offer the merchandise with false or misleading data”.
HE Sheikh/ Jassim bin Jabor Al Thani, Director of Consumer Protection Department emphasized that all companies operating in the country must apply the standards and high specifications in all goods and products offered and presented to the consumer.
Mr. Youssef Saad Al Suwaidi, Head of Commercial Fraud Combat Department in the Consumer Protection Department stated that the inspections aims to protect the consumer’s right and that the department is vigilant to ensure that goods and services sold in the market are genuine and in accordance with the standards and the health and safety requirements.

 
Out of the ministry’s role to protect the consumer’s rights and fight against all defected and counterfeit goods that do not comply with the standard specifications, and out of the ministry’s keenness to oblige all suppliers to comply with the health and safety conditions through all the products and services offered to the consumer,
 
The Consumer Protection Department (CPD) seized about 50,000 substandard electrical products including electric cables, exhaust fans, circuit breakers and electric boards, among many other items, in a major crackdown on a warehouse in the Industrial Area.
 
The substandard and counterfeit products were found at a warehouse in the Industrial Area belonging to a leading company, during a raid conducted by the CPD.
 
CPD director Sheikh Jassim bin Jabor Al Thani said the products were confiscated because they didn’t meet Qatari standards and specifications. Necessary legal action will be taken against such violations of the law, he added.
 
“We will not spare any efforts to stop such substandard products entering the local market, because they pose a serious threat to public health and safety,” said Al Thani.
 
He urged buyers to ensure the quality of electrical products and other goods by looking at the contents of packages and the product specifications.
 
He also urged people to keep the purchase bills with them, to be used as proof if any defects are found in the products at a later stage. 

The consumer protection department in the ministry of business and trade continues its inspection campaigns in the markets and different commercial centers to monitor all infringing goods and products that do not conform to the standard specifications and the safety and health conditions.
And during an inspection campaign on a widespread center that possesses many branches in the State, the CP department had monitored large quantities of cleaning products, in 11 branches of the mentioned center, that do not have on their packing the main and basic details that must be stated like the country of origin, production and expiry dates, which constitutes a violation of the Article (7) of the Law No. (8) for the year 2008 on consumer protection, which stipulates that:
“Provider, once offering any merchandise for circulation, shall be obliged to state on its cover or packing clearly the merchandise’s type, nature, ingredients and all relevant data as per the executive regulation of this Law.
If the use of this merchandise results in a danger, the provider should warn about that clearly.
The provider shall be prohibited to specify, advertise or offer the merchandise with false or misleading data”.
This act is considered also as a violation of the Article (13) of the same law, that stipulates that:
“Provider shall warrant that the merchandise or the service provided to the consumer shall be complied with the declared adopted standards. They shall be also accountable for incompliance with the conditions relating to public health and safety”.
And after investigating about the origin of these products, it appeared that there is a factory in the industrial area that produces such detergents. The factory was raided and the consumer protection representatives proved all the monitored violations, and it was realized that the factory is using expired sterilizing hand gels to produce the company’s products, after recycling these expired products with other cleaning products, adding to that the cited plant has no license from the competent agent.
Based on that, the consumer protection department emphasizes that all suppliers must adhere to the standards and conditions in the displayed and offered goods and products, as a way to upgrade the Qatari market to keep pace with the general progress and evolution in the state, and prove itself as a modern country where all quality standards and safety and health conditions are applied. 
  

In the context of the permanent efforts made by the Ministry of Business and Trade, represented by the Consumer Protection Department, to monitor the markets and the economic activities in the State, in order to ensure the consumer profit, the CP department has revealed today a number of violations committed during the month of January 2013. The violations that have been amounted to 95 violations include:

As for the complaints received by the Consumer Protection Department, and which have been amounted to 350 complaints, they have been dealt with and transferred to the responsible competent departments.

 
HE the Minister of Business and Trade Sheikh Jassim bin Abdul Aziz Al Thani met on Monday morning 28/01/2013 with HE Mr. Bert Searto, Hungarian Minister of State of the Presidency of the Council of Ministers for Economic and Foreign Policy Affairs.
During the meeting, they discussed a number of issues of joint interest with a particular focus on the trade and investment cooperation sectors, as well as the latest developments in the trade and investment relations, and the ways of deepening and expanding the horizons of cooperation between the two countries.
Their Excellences agreed on the need to develop and promote trade exchange between Qatar and Hungary and overcome all the obstacles that prevent both countries from benefiting of the trade and investment opportunities.

 
HE Sheikh Jassim bin Abdulaziz Al Thani, Minister of Business and Trade, met on Saturday in Saudi Arabia with Moroccan Minister of Economic and Financial Affairs Nizar Baraka, on the sidelines of the joint meeting between foreign ministers and ministers participating in the preparatory meeting for the third Arab Economic and Social Developmental Summit in Riyadh.
During the meeting, they discussed investment opportunities available in both countries, in addition to the possibility of boosting bilateral trade cooperation. They agreed on the importance of increasing bilateral trade volume and facilitating trade and investment opportunities in both countries.
It should be noted that the State of Qatar and the Kingdom of Morocco have signed a number of bilateral agreements to increase trade volume. They also signed an agreement to protect and encourage mutual investments.

HE the Minister of Business and Trade Sheikh Jassim bin Abdul-Aziz Al Thani said that in the context of the Ministry’s keenness to modernize the existing legislation in order to simplify and facilitate the procedures of establishing commercial companies, the Ministry has completed a new draft company law, adding that the draft law will meet the requirements of the political, economic and social changes in accordance with Qatar National Vision 2030 and will keep pace with modern developments and leaps in businesses.
HE the Minister gave directives to a high-level legal  committee to prepare the draft law in consultation with specialists and technicians in the ministry. The committee was set up with members of law-related institutions including:
1-     Ministry of Business and Trade
2-     Ministry of Economy and Finance
3-     Ministry of Justice
4-     Qatar Central Bank
5-     Qatar Financial Markets Authority
6-     Cabinet General Secretariat
7-     Emiri Diwan
8-     Some experts and specialists form other institutions
HE the Minister said that the new draft law took into consideration the international standards on which countries are classified in terms of ease of starting and doing business, explaining that it will contribute to raising the ranking of Qatar and will attract foreign investment.
HE added that The Ministry of Business and Trade gives special attention to the opinions of the concerned parties before introducing any amendments to the legislative tools that serve the business and trade environment in Qatar. Based on that, HE pointed out that the draft law was posted on the ministry’s web site to enable all concerned parties to contribute their opinions.
The draft law consists of (340) articles in thirteen sections, in addition to an explanatory note.
 
Instructions on how to submit comments on the draft law:
1. Commenting on the draft law is optional, but the ministry encourages everyone to review its rules and submit their views to the ministry for consideration in drafting the optimal draft law.
2. Expressing the point of view in details as much as possible, and providing data, analysis and relevant information.
3. It is preferred to include contact details, such as your name, full address, landline or mobile phone, and e-mail address, in order to facilitate communication when needed, noting that the inclusion of such details is optional.
4. Ministry emphasizes that it is not obliged to adopt the received responses and suggestions.
5. Responses can be sent by e-mail to:consultation@mbt.gov.qa
6. These responses must be submitted to the ministry before Sunday 27/01/2013.
7. After the end of the period, Ministry has the right to publish a summary report.
8. The information provided through these responses will only be used in the optimal formulation of the draft law.
9. Reports and personal data that is collected through the e-mails can be converted to other government agencies related to the law formulation. Names and views may be posted to the public after the end of the period, unless the participant does not want to have their name and views published, taking into consideration that the ministry respects the wishes of the participants who wish to remain anonymous and keep confidentiality in the views they expressed.
10. Those who wish further information on this topic, please visit the website of the Ministry of Business and Trade at:www.mbt.gov.qa
 

To review the English version of the Draft Law, please clickHere.
To review the Arabic version of the Explanatory Note, please clickHere.
Comments and Reviews should be sent to :consultation@mbt.gov.qa before 27/01/2013.

Out of its role in protecting and revitalizing the competition and fighting against any monopolistic practices in the markets through the relevant laws and resolutions, the Ministry of Business and Trade put an end to the monopolistic practices made by some uniforms’ providers in agreement with some private schools.
The Competition Protection & Prevention of Monopoly Practices Committee in the ministry discussed the uniforms issue, and examined what do some private schools do in agreement with uniforms’ selling companies, like requiring parents to purchase school uniforms exclusively from these companies, and decided to notify the mentioned parties to stop restricting the parents’ right to choose the shop or supplier they want to buy from.
The Committee also called the uniform provider companies and schools to raise the committed violations and rectify their situations in line with Law No. 19 of 2006 on the protection of competition and prevention of monopolistic practices.
The Committee also addressed the Supreme Education Council SEC on the steps that must be undertaken in the future to prevent the private schools from forcing parents to buy school uniforms from particular shops.
Among those steps, schools must determine only the shape and color of the uniforms without the necessity to include labels or overlapping colors and similar things that compel the parents to buy from a specific shop. SEC should also direct the schools to provide the school logo to the parents, leaving for them the freedom to buy the school uniform from any place they want, and it should also forbid private schools, starting from the next academic year (2013 – 2014), from selling uniforms within the school campus.

In the context of the permanent efforts made by the Ministry of Business and Trade, represented by the Department of Consumer Protection, to monitor the markets and the economic activities in the State, in order to ensure the consumer profit, the CP department has revealed today a number of violations committed during the month of December 2012. The violations have been amounted to 101 violations, including:

In the context of the permanent efforts made by the Ministry of Business and Trade, represented by the Department of Consumer Protection, to monitor the markets and the economic activities in the State, in order to ensure the consumer profit, the CP department has revealed today a number of violations committed during the month of December 2012. The violations have been amounted to 101 violations, including:

As for the complaints received by the Department of Consumer Protection, and which have been amounted to 327 complaints, they have been dealt with and transferred to the responsible competent departments.

In the context of the permanent efforts made by the Ministry of Business and Trade, represented by the Department of Consumer Protection, to monitor the markets and the economic activities in the State, in order to ensure the consumer profit, the CP department has revealed today a number of violations committed during the month of November 2012. The violations have been amounted to 87 violations, including:

As for the complaints received by the Department of Consumer Protection, and which have been amounted to 347 complaints, they have been dealt with and transferred to the responsible competent departments.

The Ministry of Business and Trade, and through its inspection campaigns made by the Consumer Protection Department to monitor the activities of the market to ensure its compliance with the laws and regulations,
 
Had issued the decision of the administrative closure of (3) shops for violating the provisions of Law No. (8) of 2008 on consumer protection.
 
The closed shops are:

 

 
HE the Minister of Business and Trade Sheikh Jassim bin Abdul Aziz Al Thani met on Monday morning 19/11/2012 with HE Mr. Ed Vaizey, Minister for Culture, Communications and Creative Industries of the United Kingdom and his accompanying delegation who are in a current visit to the State.
During the meeting, they discussed a number of issues of joint interest with a particular focus on the business and trade sectors, as well as the ways of developing and enhancing the bilateral relations between the two countries.

In the context of the permanent efforts made by the Ministry of Business and Trade, represented by the Department of Consumer Protection, to monitor the markets and the economic activities in the State, in order to ensure the consumer profit, the CP department has revealed today a number of violations committed during the month of October 2012. The violations have been amounted to 70 violations, including:.

As for the complaints received by the Department of Consumer Protection, and which have been amounted to 462 complaints, they have been dealt with and transferred to the responsible competent departments.

HE Mr. Majid Abdul Rahman Abdullah Al Mahmoud, Assistant Undersecretary for Business Affairs met on Tuesday with Mr. Martin Van Der Berg, Dutch Deputy Undersecretary for Foreign Economic Relations in the Ministry of Economic Affairs, Agriculture & Innovation, and HE Mr. John Groffen, Ambassador of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Doha.
During the meeting, they discussed a range of topics of joint interest, particularly in the field of business and means to enhance bilateral cooperation, and at the end of the meeting their Excellences exchanged souvenir gifts.

Upon the decision by the Prime Minister, Miss Meera Bint Hamad Bin Abdullah Al Attiyah was appointed as Undersecretary for Trade Affairs at the Ministry of Business and Trade.
Al Attiyah has assumed several senior positions. She worked for the IT and communications sector during her tenure at the Supreme Council for Communications and Information Technology, and was assigned to the post of Director of Information Technology Department at the Ministry of Business and Trade, as well as Director of Registration and Commercial Licenses Department. She is also a member in several national committees in the business and investment sectors.
Mira Al Attiyah received BSc. Engineering from the Qatar University, Executive Diploma in Business Development from the University of Carnegie Mellon, and postgraduate degree in project management from George Washington University.

The Department of Consumer Protection in the Ministry of Business and Trade implemented the decision of the administrative closure of seven (7) butcheries in different parts of the State. The closure decision was taken due to the fraud in the country of origin of the meat, which enters in the field of describing a product or displaying it in a manner that contains false statements and information.
This action was taken after a number of inspections made by the Commercial Fraud Combat Section in the CPD, in cooperation with the Unit of Meat Control in Doha Municipality, at the Ministry of Municipality and Urban Planning. Many violations were monitored during the inspection campaigns, and decisions of the closure of seven butcheries that appeared to repeat the act of violation were taken then. These butcheries are :
1 – Al Maraii for Meat – Farik Bin Omran.
2 – Lebanon Butchery- New Mirqab Street.
3 – Qatari Markets Company Butchery – Ras Abu Abboud.
4 – Qatari – Emirati Company for Meat and Food – Old Airport Road.
5 – Turkish Moon Butchery- New Rayyan.
6 – Turkish Butchery – New Rayyan.
7 – Bab Al Hara Butchery – Al Karitiyat.