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Sameh Saeid
Doha
Beginning tomorrow (April 1), merchants, service providers and suppliers must use Arabic as the main language for issuing of invoices and failure to comply with the rule will invite legal action.
It's also mandatory now to provide information on products in Arabic.
The Ministry of Economy and Commerce (MEC) will carry out inspections to monitor compliance with its circular to this effect.
The ministry's initiative came after it noticed an increase in the use of foreign languages in providing information on products and services, invoices, and customer support. This practice, it was felt, had led to lack of transparency and difficulty in accessing information on various goods and services.
It's also mandatory now for beauty salons, hotels, maintenance centres, travel and tourism agencies, suppliers, and service providers to dedicate at least one Arabic-speaking employee at reception desks.
According to the MEC circular, the information provided on the label of a product, the description of the characteristics, and the advertisements must be in Arabic with the option of providing the information in another language.
At least one Arabic-speaking employee must be dedicated to display properties or services to customers. The invoices must be issued in Arabic to document transactions or agreements with consumers regarding products or services.
The guarantee statements must also be issued in Arabic while the option of using an additional language remains open.
Merchants, suppliers and service providers are required to hire an Arabic-speaking person to process consumer complaints and enquiries. This provision also applies for entities providing after-sales services at customer service centres in malls, or through call centres.
