Qatar may start setting price ceilings on hundreds of goods and services, including those provided by laundromats and barber shops, in the second half of next year, the Peninsula reports.

The Advisory Council has already approved an amendment to the consumer protection law of 2008 to form a new committee that would handle the price freezes, the newspaper states.

Members would include officials from the Ministry of Business (Consumer Protection Department), the Ministry of Municipality and Urban Planning, Ministry of Economy and Finance, the Ministry of Environment and Qatar Chamber.

In theory, the action could help temper the ever-rising cost of living in Qatar. But how businesses would handle the bureaucratic red tape remains to be seen, as sales and promotions may also face a new process.

The Peninsula reports:

To tighten screws on retail outlets, they might be required to seek additional approval from the Specifications and Standards Department of the Ministry of Environment to launch promotions. Permitting promotions are presently a prerogative of the CPD at the Ministry of Business and Trade…

CPD inspectors are already armed with judicial powers to conduct raids on retail, wholesale as well as manufacturing and storage facilities of consumer goods and initiate legal action against violators. After amendment, the consumer protection law might confer similar powers on the employees of the Standards and Specifications Department as well.

Would you appreciate the move?

Thoughts?

Credit: Photo by Philippa Willitts