Ibri, Dhahirah — In a sweeping move to uphold business integrity and consumer convenience, the Department of Commerce, Industry, and Investment Promotion (MoCIIP) in Oman has launched an intensive inspection campaign across Dhahirah. This operation focused on ensuring that shops, restaurants, and cafés adhere to electronic payment regulations, a vital step towards enhancing transparency and consumer trust. Several businesses that failed to comply faced fines as part of this stern enforcement drive.
This initiative traces back to Ministerial Decision No. 312/2023, introduced last year to eliminate hidden trade. The term refers to any unauthorised commercial activities that breach Omani laws and Royal Decrees, ranging from operations under false identities to the misuse of commercial registrations. Penalties are severe: violators risk having their business activities erased from the commercial register, fines starting at RO5,000 for initial offences, escalating to RO15,000 and permanent deregistration for repeated breaches. Suspended entities must wait a full year before applying for re-registration.
MoCIIP’s specialized inspectors are now doubling down on surprise visits and continuous monitoring, emphasizing a commitment to cracking down on deceptive business practices. The campaign signals a robust stance against trade violations, reinforcing a market environment where lawful practices and consumer ease take center stage.
