Muscat: The Ministry of Commerce and Industry and Investment Promotion (MOCIIP) has intensified campaigns against commercial establishments that do not offer electronic or card payment options to customers.
Recently, following an inspection of a commercial center, around 100 shops (96) were found of violations and not providing cashless transactions.
"We followed with interest the complaints, which reflected the community's keenness to achieve a comprehensive electronic transformation.
The Ministry is continuing its inspection campaigns to monitor the commitment of the commercial shops included in the first phase."
MOCIIP has made it mandatory to provide electronic payment services to customers in eight business activities, which include the sale of gold, silverware, and foodstuffs.
The activities for which the electronic payment service has to be provided are the sale of foodstuffs, gold and silverware, restaurant and cafes, vegetables and fruits electronics, building materials, and tobacco. The decision also covers activities in the industrial zones, complexes, commercial centers, and gift markets.
Article one of the decision states institutions and commercial companies operating in the select activities must provide electronic payment services to all consumers.
The decision shall be published in the Official Gazette and shall come into force after 30 days from the date of its publication is based on the provision of electronic payment services to consumers as per the Commercial Law promulgated by Royal Decree 55/90, Commercial Companies Law promulgated by Royal Decree 18/2019, and the Royal Decree 97 / 2020 amending the name of the Ministry of Commerce and Industry to the Ministry of Commerce and Industry and investment promotion.
Last year, the ministry made the electronic payment option mandatory in commercial activities starting from January 1, 2022.
The Central Bank of Oman, in coordination with banks and service providers, has provided point-of-sale devices to merchants without installation fees or monthly or annual fees to private sector institutions. Only fees for merchant transactions specified by CBO will be applicable.
The fees must not exceed 15 percent of the transaction amount or a maximum of RO10 for payment via debit cards or exceed 0.75 percent for mobile payments via QR code.
The Consumer Protection Authority, in coordination with banks, will receive complaints related to electronic payments through the authority’s communication channels.
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