DOHA: Shops issued temporary licences to operate in residential areas will now be able to renew their licences until the end of 2016.
Hundreds of neighbourhood stores across the country are expected to benefit from this decision, approved by the State Cabinet yesterday. The Cabinet approved the draft decision of the Minister of Economy and Commerce amending some provisions of the law No 9239 of 2011 on controls on issuance of temporary licences for shops and other commercial facilities in residential areas, Qatar News Agency reported yesterday.
Such facilities have been allowed to renew their licences annually until the end of 2016 “in view of the unavailability of alternative facilities in the current period in addition to high rents of such shops outside those areas.”
The Cabinet also approved a draft law amending some provisions of law No 8 of 1990 regulating the control of food stuff.
Under the provisions of the new law, it is permissible to close a shop for violating the rules, as per a decision of the director of the municipality concerned or the director of the competent department at the ministries of Municipality and Urban Planning, Environment and Public Health. A note is to be placed in front of the shop saying it is closed for an offence or violation of the law. The decision is to be published on the website of the Ministry which issued it. The Peninsula
