‘Spreading business tentacles without a nod could shut shop’

He disclosed that one of the common violations encountered by the teams is the addition of activities without obtaining a license. He clarified that adding an activity without a license is a “serious violation” that may result in legal action, including the closure of the establishment. He pointed out that there are cases involving some investors in cooperative societies, given their service-oriented nature. He said some investors may not be aware of the necessity of obtaining approval for adding an activity from the relevant authorities. He added that these inspections are part of the “License Your Business... Your Steps Are Right” campaign launched by the Municipality at the beginning of August. He revealed that the campaign aims to raise awareness among business owners about the importance of obtaining the correct licenses before commencing operations and ensuring compliance with site regulations and licensing requirements.

He asserted that the campaign informs investors about the correct licensing procedures to avoid penalties, indicating that the process begins with the issuance of warnings and notices to allow business owners to rectify their situation. He stated that if the violations continue, a second warning will be issued, followed by closure of the establishment if the violations continue and the underlying causes are not addressed. He reiterated that the campaign is for raising awareness on the importance of choosing a location suitable for the nature of the business in commercial, investment, service, industrial or craft zones, and to regulate the distribution of activities according to the characteristics and requirements of each area.