Citizens welcome Commerce Ministry decision that allows individuals to import cars directly

Published: 12 January 2025

They say move will increase competition and help reduce prices of cars in local market

NT Bureau
Doha

Citizens and residents in Qatar have widely welcomed the recent decision of the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, represented by the Consumer Protection and Anti-Commercial Fraud Department, that allows them to import their cars directly from abroad and requires local car dealers to provide warranty services to them.

Many said they considered it a positive step towards breaking the monopoly of car dealers and reducing their prices, thanks to the diversity of options now available to consumers, Al Sharq reports.

With this measure, individuals can avoid the high prices imposed by some agencies, which con-tribute to providing effective support to residents who are looking for high-quality cars at reason-able prices.
The new rule obliges agents and car companies to provide full warranty for imported cars and provide appropriate spare parts for them, with the necessity of adhering to Gulf specifications.

Many citizens told Al Sharq they welcomed the decision.

“As a consumer, I believe that this decision is in the best interest of the citizens. We have been waiting for this decision for many years, especially with the annual increase in car prices at dealerships without a clear ceiling for these increases. Prices have become unbearable, so I support the decision wholeheartedly, and I believe that it came at the right time,” Saad Al-Ghanim, a citizen, said.

He also called on the Consumer Protection Department to continue its efforts to protect citizens and consumers, and asked shipping companies to facilitate the procedures for shipping imported cars, by offering reasonable and competitive prices. He stressed the importance of these facilities supporting citizens, ensuring that cars arrive at reasonable prices, alleviating the burden of travel-ling abroad and searching for shipping companies.

He added the decision supports Qatar’s vision of empowering youth and encouraging them to innovate and take advantage of available opportunities, expressing his confidence that this initiative will contribute to creating a balanced market that serves all parties and meets the aspirations of consumers, especially the youth.

Fadala Al Sulaiti said this decision represents a long-awaited step, as it contributes to enhancing competitiveness in the car market and breaking the monopoly.

He pointed out that the decision will protect the consumer and help reduce price increases, which will ease the financial burden on citizens and residents alike, in addition to its role in strengthening and upgrading the national economy.

Jumaan Al Saadi said that the decision enhances competitiveness in the market, as it leads to lower car prices due to the diversity of options available to consumers, which allows individuals to avoid the high prices imposed by some agencies.