The Cabinet yesterday approved a proposal by the Ministry of Economy and Commerce (MEC) to grant an extension, starting today, to individuals and organisations running commercial/industrial outlets and similar public facilities as well as street peddlers.
These individuals and organisations now have six more months to comply with the provisions of Law No 5 of 2015, which was issued by HH the Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani in April.
A similar extension has been granted, with effect from February 7, 2016, to comply with the new Commercial Companies’ Law, the official Qatar News Agency reported yesterday.
Law No 5 of 2015 lays down rules and regulations for commercial/industrial outlets and similar public facilities, as well as street vendors, and stipulates a wide range of penalties for violations.
Key provisions of the law include Article 13, which stipulates that only selected outlets will have to remain closed during Friday prayers. The working hours of these outlets will be regulated by a decision issued by HE the Minister of Economy and Commerce based on the suggestions of the administrative department concerned at the ministry.
Outlets that fail to abide by the law will be fined QR10,000. The law also stipulates stiff fines for vendors who break rules, while rules regulating the renewal of licences of commercial and industrial establishments have also been tightened.
Law No 11 of 2015 – or the new Commercial Companies’ Law - was issued by HH the Emir in June. It covers a wide range of topics pertaining to the operations of companies.
After the regular weekly meeting of the Cabinet chaired by HE the Prime Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Nasser bin Khalifa al-Thani at the Emiri Diwan yesterday, HE the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of State for Cabinet Affairs Ahmed bin Abdullah al-Mahmoud said the Cabinet also approved a draft law amending some provisions of Law No 8 of 2002, on the regulation of commercial agents’ work, and referred it to the Advisory Council.
Further, the meeting reviewed cabinet draft decisions on economic zones and concessions for Economic Zones Company and took appropriate decisions in this regard.