Qatar has entered a new chapter in its journey toward transparency and digital governance. On 26 October 2025, the Ministry of Commerce and Industry (MOCI) issued an official circular requiring all commercial, industrial, and public establishments to register and regularly update the prices of their goods and services through the Ministry’s online portal.
The measure, announced publicly through the Qatar News Agency (QNA) and covered by several national outlets, forms part of the country’s broader digital transformation strategy and aims to promote fair competition, market transparency, and consumer protection.
Purpose of the New Regulation
According to MOCI, the new circular serves four key purposes:
- Market Transparency: To make pricing information more accessible to consumers and prevent price manipulation.
- Nationwide Price Database: To create an up-to-date national record of commodity and service prices for monitoring market stability.
- Digital Transformation: To modernize administrative processes through the Ministry’s online e-Services platform.
- Consumer Protection: To safeguard buyers from misleading pricing and to ensure fair profit margins.
MOCI emphasized that these goals align with Qatar National Vision 2030, reinforcing the country’s transition to a transparent, technology-driven economy.
Who Must Comply
The circular applies to:
- Commercial establishments (retail, wholesale, supermarkets, etc.)
- Industrial operators (manufacturers, suppliers, distributors)
- Public service providers (clinics, schools, maintenance firms, hospitality providers)
Every such entity must register its price lists and service charges using the official online system. This includes both fixed prices and promotional offers.
Legal Foundation: Law No. 12 of 1972
The MOCI circular directly references Law No. 12 of 1972 on Mandatory Pricing and Fixing Profits, which remains the primary legislation governing pricing practices in Qatar.
- Article 1 authorizes the Ministry to set or regulate prices and profit margins for essential goods and services.
- Article 6 obliges suppliers to adhere to approved price ceilings.
- Articles 9 and 10 establish penalties for violations, including fines and possible suspension of business licenses.
The full text of the law is available on Qatar’s legal portal, Al Meezan: https://almeezan.qa/LawView.aspx?LawID=2482&language=en
What Businesses Are Required to Do
- Register Prices Online: Access the MOCI e-Services portal: https://www.moci.gov.qa/en/e-services/. Create or log into your account. Register each product or service with its exact price, category, and unit of measure.
- Maintain Accuracy: All data must be accurate and match your public pricing (shelf tags, websites, invoices, etc.). Incorrect entries could result in regulatory action.
- Update Regularly: Businesses must promptly update any price change, promotion, or new product listing. For fast-moving goods, daily or weekly updates are advisable.
- Keep Records: Maintain a digital log of each update, including date, old and new prices, and the responsible staff member. Store submission confirmations from the portal as proof of compliance.
- Designate a Compliance Officer: Assign an internal point of contact responsible for managing MOCI submissions and future audits.
Implementation Timeline
As of 31 October 2025, MOCI has not announced an official deadline or grace period for compliance.
Legal commentators and media reports recommend that all establishments act immediately and treat the circular as effective upon publication.
MOCI is expected to release additional technical guidance and file-format templates through its e-Services portal later this year.
Until then, businesses should proactively prepare their data and ensure readiness for submission.
Penalties and Enforcement
Although the circular does not yet specify new penalties, enforcement will rely on the provisions of Law No. 12 of 1972, which allows the Ministry to:
- Issue warnings or impose administrative fines;
- Suspend commercial activity for repeated violations;
- Refer cases to the Public Prosecution for deliberate non-compliance.
Businesses found submitting inaccurate or misleading data could face significant reputational and regulatory consequences.
Why This Matters
This regulation represents a milestone in Qatar’s digital economic governance. By mandating real-time online registration, the Ministry aims to create a unified and transparent pricing environment.
For businesses, compliance is not merely a legal obligation—it is an opportunity to demonstrate credibility, accountability, and alignment with national transformation goals.
Action Plan for Companies
- Audit your current pricing database.
- Prepare your catalog (product/service list with prices, units, and categories).
- Register on the MOCI portal and upload the data.
- Create an internal pricing policy and change-approval workflow.
- Review your updates weekly or monthly to ensure accuracy.
- Archive all submission records for at least 12 months.
Conclusion
The MOCI price-registration initiative is a defining moment for Qatar’s business landscape. It enhances market integrity and ensures consumers are protected through open information.
Companies that act early, by digitizing their pricing data and embracing the e-Services platform, will not only stay compliant but also strengthen their position in a more transparent, competitive economy.
