Licensed street vendors are not allowed to operate near intersections, pedestrian crossings and entrances and exits of buildings, according to guidelines issued by the Ministry of Economy and Commerce.
The instructions came as part of an initiative launched by the Ministry to regulate the work of street vendors based on Ministerial Decision No 243 of 2016.
Street vendors are defined as those practising commercial activity with a licence, for which a shop or office space is not a requirement.
Street vendors have been classified into two categories— individuals selling goods like flowers, vegetables and handicrafts or providing services like repairing watches, glasses etc.
The other category comprises vendors selling fruits, vegetables, food and drinks on roads and streets using small trolleys or bicycles. A single licence is enough for the vendor as well as the trolley, according to licensing rules, the Ministry said yesterday.
To obtain a vendor’s licence, the applicant should be aged 18 years or above. A written approval from the employer is required for all non-Qatari vendors seeking a licence. The applicant is required to produce a health certificate issued by the Ministry of Public Health, a conduct certificate and approval from the authorities concerned for the permitted type of activity.
A licence will cover a single activity and the business should be restricted to a specific geographical area in case of using a vendor trolley. The vendor using trolleys should not do it in away obstructing the flow of traffic or movement of pedestrians. The trolleys should meet the health and environment specifications and should be kept away from schools and places of worships and other areas specified by the ministry. The annul licensing fee for the vendor is fixed at QR500 and QR1,000 for the trolley.
The licensed vendor is required to produce his ID and commercial licence on request. They should report to the authorities in case they lose their licence. The licence should be returned in case of expiry or cancellation.
The vendor should keep the places they use for their business clean and tidy. They are not allowed to operate near intersections and pedestrian crossings and keep enough space from entrances and exits of buildings.
They should leave at least 20 meter space from any shop in the vicinity doing the same business. In case of using private property the vendor should take approval from the owner. “ The initiative aims to organise commercial activities, improve the standard of services provided to the public and ensure compliance by the laws,” the ministry said yesterday.
