Campaign against unlicensed retailers

Aims to ensure public safety

The Presidency of the Council of Ministers (PCM) has launched a campaign to take down illegally opened businesses. The PCM issued a circular calling various public administrations to be firm in enforcing the legality of recently opened retail shops and eateries and taking the necessary action, including closing down unlicensed businesses.

The circular said: “Recently, the disorganized opening of unlicensed shops, restaurants, and companies has been growing in an unprecedented way. This trend is inconvenient for public order… It is impossible to ensure public health and safety in such restaurants.”

Paul Ariss, Head of the Syndicate of Owners of Restaurants, Cafés, Night Clubs, and Patisseries called for some exceptions in the enforcement of restaurant permits. These permits are acquired in three phases. The first licensing step is when the project is registered at the Ministry of Tourism (MoT), the second step is during the implementation phase, and the final license is acquired once the project is accomplished.

Ariss said: “The PCM decision should make some exceptions bearing in mind holders of preliminary licenses, during the first and second phases of the project. Unlicensed outlets should be definitely closed down because they constitute illicit competition, and grab market share from licensed businesses,” he said.