19 September 2013
Groceries and other shops catering to the needs of people in their neighbourhood can continue to operate in residential areas until the end of 2016. The cabinet yesterday approved the draft decision of the Minister of Economy and Commerce, amending some provisions of the law No 9239 of 2011, allowing the renewal of such outlets annually until the end of 2016. The law deals with issuing temporary licences to open commercial shops in residential areas.
"It is permissible to renew these licences annually until the end of 2016 in view of the unavailability of alternative shops to practise their activities as well as the high rental value of such shops outside those areas," the official Qatar News Agency (QNA) quoted HE the Deputy Premier and Minister of State for Cabinet Affairs Ahmed bin Abdullah al-Mahmoud as saying after the cabinet's weekly regular session. HE the Prime Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Nasser bin Khalifa al-Thani presided over the cabinet weekly regular session held at the Emiri Diwan.
The new decision comes as a welcome relief for more than 7,100 groceries and other shops spread across the country as the Ministry of Economy and Commerce had decided in March this year not to renew the licences of most of the business establishments located in residential neighbourhoods after September 15 this year. Residents, including expatriates and locals, had called for the continuation of neighbourhood groceries because they offer them "necessary and timely" services.
The Central Municipal Council (CMC) had passed recommendations at its last session, calling for the continuation of these outlets, arguing that these shops "are vital" for both locals and expatriates and they offer much needed services. "It is not logical that one drives all the way to the nearest mall to get some bread or milk while it can be bought in the neighbourhood," a top CMC official once said, summing up the easily accessible services of such outlets. CMC member Hamad Saleh al-Houl had urged the ministry to review its decision "because of its multiple negative consequences on the community".
Also yesterday, the government tightened the rules governing the sale of food for human consumption in Qatar by empowering more ministries to close down shops that violate the law. The cabinet approved a draft law to amend some provisions of Law No 8 of 1990 that regulates the sale of food for human consumption in the country. Under the provisions of the new law, the director of the municipality concerned or the director of the competent department at each of the Ministries of Municipality and Urban Planning,
Environment and Public Health, have been authorised to close a shop that violates the laws of the country. The closure will be based on the administrative principles and a notice will be displayed at the front of the shop, explaining the offence or violation of the law. The closure decision will be published on the website of the Ministry which has issued it.
Groceries and other shops catering to the needs of people in their neighbourhood can continue to operate in residential areas until the end of 2016. The cabinet yesterday approved the draft decision of the Minister of Economy and Commerce, amending some provisions of the law No 9239 of 2011, allowing the renewal of such outlets annually until the end of 2016. The law deals with issuing temporary licences to open commercial shops in residential areas.
"It is permissible to renew these licences annually until the end of 2016 in view of the unavailability of alternative shops to practise their activities as well as the high rental value of such shops outside those areas," the official Qatar News Agency (QNA) quoted HE the Deputy Premier and Minister of State for Cabinet Affairs Ahmed bin Abdullah al-Mahmoud as saying after the cabinet's weekly regular session. HE the Prime Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Nasser bin Khalifa al-Thani presided over the cabinet weekly regular session held at the Emiri Diwan.
The new decision comes as a welcome relief for more than 7,100 groceries and other shops spread across the country as the Ministry of Economy and Commerce had decided in March this year not to renew the licences of most of the business establishments located in residential neighbourhoods after September 15 this year. Residents, including expatriates and locals, had called for the continuation of neighbourhood groceries because they offer them "necessary and timely" services.
The Central Municipal Council (CMC) had passed recommendations at its last session, calling for the continuation of these outlets, arguing that these shops "are vital" for both locals and expatriates and they offer much needed services. "It is not logical that one drives all the way to the nearest mall to get some bread or milk while it can be bought in the neighbourhood," a top CMC official once said, summing up the easily accessible services of such outlets. CMC member Hamad Saleh al-Houl had urged the ministry to review its decision "because of its multiple negative consequences on the community".
Also yesterday, the government tightened the rules governing the sale of food for human consumption in Qatar by empowering more ministries to close down shops that violate the law. The cabinet approved a draft law to amend some provisions of Law No 8 of 1990 that regulates the sale of food for human consumption in the country. Under the provisions of the new law, the director of the municipality concerned or the director of the competent department at each of the Ministries of Municipality and Urban Planning,
Environment and Public Health, have been authorised to close a shop that violates the laws of the country. The closure will be based on the administrative principles and a notice will be displayed at the front of the shop, explaining the offence or violation of the law. The closure decision will be published on the website of the Ministry which has issued it.
© Gulf Times 2013
