Customers asked to report shops not offering e-payments

Muscat: The Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Investment Promotion has called on consumers to report commercial establishments that are obligated to provide electronic payments, but do not.

A recent decision obligates commercial establishments and companies working in the activity of selling foodstuffs, the activity of selling gold and silver, the activity of restaurants and cafes, the activity of selling vegetables and fruits, the activity of selling electronics, the activity of selling building materials, the activity of selling tobacco, and all activities in industrial areas, complexes, commercial centers and gift markets to provide electronic payment service for all consumers.

The ministry said: “The consumer has the right to pay by cash or via electronic payments services.” Adding that, “We are pleased to receive your contact and report on commercial institutions and companies that do not provide the electronic payment service through the call centre on the phone number: 80000070”

The decision stated that the Ministry may, when violating the provisions of this decision, impose administrative penalties, such as a warning, obligating the violator to provide the electronic payment service within a period not exceeding 20 days, and an administrative fine of OMR 100.