DOHA: The State Cabinet is studying a draft law that makes a licence mandatory for vendors selling goods and providing various services to the public and imposes stricter rules for commercial and industrial outlets.
The draft law, referred to the Cabinet by the Ministry of Economy and Commerce has provisions on licensing and monitoring of commercial facilities, including eateries, hotels, clinics, offices and shops selling hazardous material, Al Sharq reports.
There is a separate chapter on vendors, which bans them from working without a licence from the authorities concerned. They can work only under a licenced outlet and the request for the licence should be submitted by the attached shop. The minimum age for obtaining a licence is 18 years.
The licence application should include details about the geographical area of their activity, nature of work, the type of goods they sell or the services they provide and the working hours.
This rule applies to vendors selling handicrafts and industrial goods and providing various services. Vendors will not be permitted to do jobs and work in localities that are not specified in the licence.
They should be medically fit to do their job and always carry their licence and produce it on request, along with their Qatari ID.
Vendors are not permitted to chase people forcing them to buy the goods/ or use their services. They cannot operate near schools, education centres, hospitals and health centres.
The draft law also bans them from selling crackers and making noisy advertisements using bells, horns, whistles or any other instruments that could cause disturbance to the public. They can go out selling goods only during the permitted hours.
The proposed law has laid down rules and regulations for shops doing online business through websites or other media. It makes it mandatory for all outlets to obtain an additional licence for all additional activities that are not specified in the original licence.
The Ministry of Municipality and Urban Planning will identify the areas, streets and facilities where it is not permitted to open commercial outlets. The Ministry will also lay down rules and regulations for setting up shops in residential areas.
The licence will be for one year, renewable for a similar period every time. For late renewal, a fine of QR500 will be imposed per month.
A licence can be cancelled if the licence holder makes renovations in the shop without approval, carry out activities that are not mentioned in the licence or the shop becomes unfit for operation.
Licence of an outlet can also be cancelled if it poses risk to public health or public security or go against public morals and traditions.
The Peninsula
