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Doha: A law to boost visibility of local produce at sales outlets will be implemented soon, said Deputy Chairman of the Standing Committee of the Central Markets Department of the Ministry of Commerce and Industry (MoCI), Abdullah Al Kuwari yesterday.
As the country works towards achieving food security, the government has put in place a system that encourages the production and patronage of national products across the country.
“Under the upcoming law, there will be a great opportunity for the fresh local produce and local food products to get priority on display (on markets’ shelves),” said Al Kuwari while speaking to a local channel yesterday.
Based on the government directives, he said, priority will be given to local products regarding their display in sales outlets.
Al Kuwari said that in a bid to encourage local producers, sales outlets will be obliged to pay suppliers of local produce within a month. This provisions is the first of its kind in the country.
“The State is keen to support the local products and the MoCI has assisted many local merchants and manufacturers in finding opportunities in sales outlets and in displaying their products in the market,” he said.
Al Kuwari said central markets have specialised counters to receive complaints from customers. Consumers can also call the ministry on the designated number, and the complaint will be followed up in contact with the complainant.
He added that the ministry is keen to address all complaints, noting that while some issues can be resolved in a day, some may need more time to be verified. He assured the public that most reports are resolved within three days. Al Kuwari said the ministry receives complaints about prices, quality or commercial fraud.
Al Kuwari also highlighted that authorities regularly carry out inspection drives in the markets to monitor prices.
“Some traders are trying to take advantage of the current conditions (COVID-19) but the monitoring control will be tightened further,” he added.
