Crackdown on illegal shops

Inspection campaigns will continue across Bahrain. “The Ministry aims to continue inspection of businesses as part of its strategy to crackdown on violators of the law,” a Ministry statement said.

Following a recent inspection, six shops were closed down by the ministry for operating without a license. The move follows efforts by the Ministry’s Inspection Centre and the Consumer protection department to step up efforts to monitor stores in December last year as part of Value Added Tax (VAT) implementation.

The Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Tourism had also strengthened its inspection team by establishing a comprehensive inspection centre. Earlier this month more than 6000 candy sprays resembling cigarette lighters were confiscated by authorities following an inspection targeting stores. Department of Standards and Metrology of the Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Tourism and the Department of Public Health of the Ministry of Health jointly held the inspection.

According to statistics obtained by Tribune, around 33 violating businesses were closed by the Ministry down in 2018. A three-fold increase in the number of businesses closed down by the Ministry of Industry Commerce and Tourism for violating consumer rights and others, when compared to that in 2017. All of the 33 businesses were shut either permanently or temporarily.