DOHA: The authorities have begun naming outlets that are punished for taking consumers for a ride, in a bid to ensure more effective implementation of the consumer protection law.
The state consumer rights watchdog under the Ministry of Economy and Commerce has for the first time announced the name of an eatery that was closed for two weeks as punishment early last month for displaying whitefish fillets as a Hamour fish preparation.
Hamour is an expensive fish and a delicacy much sought after by Qataris. The Consumer Protection Department (CPD) yesterday published an advertisement in the form of a notification in local Arabic daily Al Watan giving the name of the erring restaurant (Shiraz Garden Restaurant) and its location (New Salata area of Doha).
The rights watchdog said in the notification that the restaurant was closed for two weeks beginning October 2 as it was found selling whitefish fillets as a Hamour preparation to fool customers.
The CPD hinted that a decision to make the names of erring eateries public was taken on September 23 this year.
Qataris have been calling on the government for long to announce the names of erring outlets, including shopping complexes, eateries and others, with their location and details of violations if they are caught violating provisions of the consumer protection law repeatedly (two times or more).
Retail sector sources told this newspaper yesterday the move by the CPD would act as a deterrent and reduce, if not end, such violations.
Hopes soar for Iran nuclear deal
GENEVA: Hopes soared yesterday for a breakthrough in nuclear talks between Iran and world powers as US Secretary of State John Kerry confirmed he was joining his Russian counterpart in Geneva to try to clinch a deal.
Earlier, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov arrived in the Swiss city.
Kerry won’t come “if they are only close,” Trita Parsi, author and president of the National Iranian American Council, said.
“If we hear now that Kerry is on his way, the deal is done.”
Earlier report on page 8
Syria rebels forge biggest alliance
BEIRUT: Islamists fighting to topple President Bashar Al Assad forged Syria’s largest rebel alliance yesterday and pledged to work towards an Islamic state.
The merger of the six groups comes after repeated calls for unity from opposition fighters and their foreign backers.
“The ‘Islamic Front’ is an independent military and social force that is aimed at bringing down Assad’s regime in Syria and at replacing it with a just Islamic state,” a statement said.
Among those joining are Aleppo’s biggest fighting force, Liwa Al Tawhid, the Salafist Ahrar Al Sham and the Army of Islam, which is concentrated around Damascus.
See also page 8
THE PENINSULA & AGENCIES
