Businesses must provide electronic payment services: Official

‘There’s penalty for not providing service; no additional fee to be charged’

NT Bureau

DOHA: Business establishments must make electronic payment services available and there is a penalty for not providing this service, Saif Al-Athba, Head of the Inspection Department at the Commercial Registration and Licensing Department at the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, has said.

The penalty for violation could be a closure for a period of 14 days or until the violation is removed, he said.

Speaking to Qatar TV, Saif Al-Athba said electronic payment services have made it easier for consumers to do transactions and avoid paying additional prices for services.

 The Ministry of Commerce and Industry noted the need for all commercial stores to commit to providing one of the approved electronic payment services in the country like electronic cards.

The Ministry also warned that commercial stores should not impose any additional fees on the consumer for using credit and debit cards to avoid legal accountability.

The customer has the right to choose the appropriate payment process, whether electronic or cash, he said.