Ministry of Commerce and Industry (MoCI) urges people to display the prices of the goods and services in Arabic

A reminder from the Ministry of Commerce and Industry (MoCI) to all commercial enterprises to clearly advertise their pricing in Arabic, in order to avoid legal repercussions, has been sent out. Commercial facilities and retail outlets, virtual platforms and social media, and licenced home businesses are examples of such entities, according to the ministry.

“Pursuant to Articles 7, 8, 11, 17 of Law No. 8 of 2008 on Consumer Protection, the Ministry of Commerce and Industry urges all those who carry out commercial activities in the country to clearly and prominently display the list of prices of goods and services in Arabic, with the possibility of including other languages, when these goods/services are marketed or offered, to avoid legal accountability,” the MoCI said yesterday.

Violators face up to a two-year jail sentence and a fine of QR3,000 or more. “Without prejudice to any more severe penalty stipulated by another law, whoever violates any of the provisions stipulated in the articles of Chapter Three of this law shall be punished by imprisonment for a period not exceeding two years and a fine of no less than QR3,000 and no more than QR1mn, or either of these two penalties,” the ministry explained.