Outlets not providing e-payment option can face temporary closure – The Peninsula

Outlets not providing e-payment option can face temporary closure – The Peninsula

Doha, Qatar: Commercial outlets not providing electronic payment services to consumers can face temporary closure, said a top official.

The Ministry of Commerce and Industry (MoCI) has mandated all commercial outlets to provide electronic payment option to customers without any additional charge for the service.

“The electronic payment services aim to facilitate consumers without taking any extra charges from them,” said Head of the Inspection Section at the Commercial Registration and Licensing Department of MoCI, Saif Al Athba.

Speaking to Qatar TV, he said the punishment for not providing electronic payment service is to close down the commercial outlets for 14 days or until they remove the violation or administrative closure is renewed.

Following a concept of ‘less cash more safety’, it has been made mandatory for all commercial outlets to provide one of three types of electronic payment services — bank card, bank payment wallet or QR code to customers.

It is following the decision No. 70 of 2022 by the Minister of Commerce and Industry for amending some provisions of the decision No. 161 of 2017 regarding general and special conditions that are required from commercial, industrial and general outlets as well as those coming under its purview.

Dealing in cash requires lengthy