In a move to promote a cashless society and enhance consumer convenience, the Qatari government has cracked down on commercial outlets that fail to provide electronic payment services, as per a report by The Peninsula.

According to a top official from the Ministry of Commerce and Industry (MoCI), businesses that do not offer customers the option to pay electronically, without any additional charges, could face temporary closure as a penalty.

"The electronic payment services aim to facilitate consumers without taking any extra charges from them," explained Saif Al Athba, Head of the Inspection Section at the Commercial Registration and Licensing Department of MoCI, in an interview with Qatar TV.

Al Athba emphasized that the punishment for non-compliance is a 14-day shutdown of the offending commercial outlet, which can be extended if the violation is not rectified.

This directive aligns with the government's "less cash, more safety" approach, mandating all businesses to offer at least one of three electronic payment options: bank card, bank payment wallet, or QR code.

The move is part of a broader effort to modernize Qatar's payment infrastructure and reduce the reliance on cash transactions, which can be cumbersome and carry security risks. The Qatar Central Bank (QCB) has been at the forefront of these initiatives, recently launching the innovative "FAWRAN" instant payment service and the Himyan Debit Card, further enhancing the digital payments landscape.

"FAWRAN reflects QCB's keenness to provide best services to customers of banks and financial institutions in the country, and meet their growing needs in line with the increasing demand for financial technology services," the central bank said in a statement.

By mandating electronic payment options, the Qatari government is not only improving customer convenience but also contributing to the nation's transition towards a more secure and efficient cashless economy. The crackdown on non-compliant businesses serves as a clear signal of the government's commitment to this digital transformation.

Source: The Peninsula