By Mobin Pandit
DOHA: The Ministry of Economy and Commerce has issued a decision regulating car parking and valet service charges levied by malls and shopping centres from customers.
The fee slabs fixed by the Ministry also cover VIP valet parking services.
The Ministry said in a statement yesterday that a ceiling has been put on all kinds of car parking charges and valet services at malls and shopping complexes.
It has warned managements of shopping complexes and malls against imposing parking charges or amending the existing ones without seeking its permission.
Approvals to impose parking charges or amend the existing fee slabs are to be granted by a committee at the Ministry which is responsible for fixing pricing of different commodities and services in the local market and profit margins businesses could earmark.
Malls and shopping centres have been asked to comply with the Ministerial decision within 60 days or face the consequences.
Legal action can be initiated and fines can be imposed for violations, cautioned the Ministry in its statement.
The Ministry said several cases have come to its notice involving community members who are being forced to pay up parking charges.
“This has prompted the Committee (at the Ministry) to set a ceiling on the parking fees and conduct an extensive study and also consult other authorities concerned,” according to the Ministry. And no charges are to be levied from customers who leave the parking area of a shopping centre or mall within 30 minutes after waiting and failing to find a parking space. The shopping outlets shall be responsible for the safety of the vehicles parked in their care, and for any damage caused to a vehicle, relevant laws would be invoked.
All malls and commercial centres shall prominently display a list of parking and valet service fees approved by the Ministry.
The list is to be displayed at the main entrance of a shopping outlet and no parking slot on the premises rented out to a third party/parties without the ministry’s approval.
The ministry said the new rules are part of its effort to protect consumers and improve the quality of services.
It urged all members of the community to report any violations or irregularities on its hotline (16001); email [email protected]; Twitter account @MEC_QATAR; Instagram MEC_QATAR; in addition to the ministry’s app on smartphones available on iPhone and Android devices at MEC_QATAR.
The Peninsula
