Latest news with #Tajawob
Observer
02-06-2025
- Business
- Observer
OPAZ engages with local community via ‘Tajawob' platform
BUSINESS REPORTER MUSCAT, JUNE 2 The Public Authority for Special Economic Zones and Free Zones (OPAZ) engaged with several suggestions, complaints, reports and inquiries submitted via the national platform 'Tajawob' until the end of May. A total of 44 requests were received, including 12 suggestions, 10 complaints, 20 inquiries and 2 reports, reflecting a growing interaction aimed at enhancing public participation tools. Dr Ahmed bin Saif al Mamari, Acting Director of Customer Services Department at OPAZ, confirmed that all requests received via the platform have been given due attention since its launch in late February. Complaints were handled within record timeframes, with the shortest response time recorded at under 10 minutes and the longest at two days. Most inquiries focused on investment procedures, company registration and investor visas. Complaints, meanwhile, were referred to the relevant departments for resolution. He stated that the received suggestions were diverse, including the development of incubators in industrial cities, enhancement of the tourism front in the Special Economic Zone at Duqm (SEZAD), and the renaming of certain industrial cities under the Public Establishment for Industrial Estates (Madayn). All suggestions have been referred to the relevant departments within the Authority and the zones it supervises for study and evaluation. Al Mamari also mentioned that some of the submissions received via the platform included innovative proposals, reflecting the level of public engagement with global technological and scientific advancements. One notable suggestion involved utilising the advancements in drone technology for the transport sector, which was referred to a specialised consultancy, while technical experts in the zone provided their input directly to the proposer. The Public Authority for Special Economic Zones and Free Zones affirmed that the national platform for suggestions, complaints, reports and inquiries, will contribute to strengthening community partnership and effective communication, as well as improving the business environment through continuous engagement, high transparency and prompt responsiveness.
Times of Oman
20-05-2025
- Business
- Times of Oman
Customer service forum explores means to enhance beneficiary satisfaction
Nizwa: The Governorate of Al Dakhiliyah on Tuesday hosted the 'Customer Service Employees Forum" to enhance the efficiency of personnel working in customer service and improving satisfaction levels among beneficiaries of government services. The forum was inaugurated by Sheikh Hilal Said Al Hajri, Governor of Al Dakhiliyah. It was attended by representatives from various government entities and local departments in the governorate, and featured multiple working papers and interactive presentations highlighting best practices in customer service and tools for institutional performance improvement. The first day of the forum included four working papers presented by several government institutions. These covered the national platform for suggestions, complaints, and reports (Tajawob), mechanisms for handling beneficiary requests, and a paper on raising customer satisfaction indicators, which emphasized ethics in service delivery and the analysis of statistical metrics. Additionally, a success story in customer service was showcased, along with efforts to achieve the objectives of Oman Vision 2040.
Zawya
03-04-2025
- Business
- Zawya
Oman: Hidden trade persists in Salalah as shops shun e-payments
SALALAH: Shoppers in the Wilayat of Salalah are increasingly being asked to transfer payments to personal bank accounts rather than using approved electronic systems—an alarming trend that may point to widespread violations of Oman's commercial regulations. Such transactions are becoming more frequent across Salalah's retail sector, according to field visits conducted by the Observer. Many of these outlets appear to be operated by expatriate workers, although they are officially registered under the names of Omani citizens. The lack of electronic payment systems and official invoices has raised serious concerns about potential breaches of Oman's anti-commercial concealment (hidden trade) laws. UNFAIR COMPETITION Ahmed Salim, a small business owner in the Wilayat of Salalah, said that unlicensed operations are undermining legitimate enterprises. 'We issue receipts, comply with tax laws, and use electronic payments. Others sidestep all of that and sell at lower prices. It's not a level playing field,' he said. He added that the situation is discouraging young Omanis from entering the retail sector. 'This kind of environment kills motivation,' he noted. In response to these concerns, the Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Investment Promotion has intensified enforcement. In a recent inspection campaign, the ministry reviewed 1,528 commercial outlets within shopping centres in the governorates of Muscat and Al Batinah South. The campaign led to more than 40 violations against shops that failed to comply with Ministerial Decision No (386/2022), which mandates that retailers must offer electronic payment options to customers. Ahead of Eid, the Ministry also issued a public advisory urging consumers to report any retailer that refuses e-payments or requests money transfers via personal phone-linked accounts. Complaints can be submitted through the Tajawob platform at Regulatory framework In July 2023, the ministry introduced new regulations aimed at combating commercial concealment—defined as enabling unlicensed individuals to operate a business, either independently or in partnership. Under these regulations, offenders face fines ranging from RO 5,000 to RO 15,000, with the potential for permanent licence revocation in cases of repeated violations. Authorities have been granted broad powers to conduct unannounced inspections. Red flags include income transfers to personal accounts, false registration data, unauthorised managerial roles held by foreign workers, and the use of non-commercial bank accounts. Both citizens and residents are required to report suspected violations, while self-reporting may result in reduced penalties. Economists caution that concealed commercial practices reduce public tax revenues and hinder the government's efforts to regulate the market and create employment opportunities for Omanis. 'These shadow transactions create an informal economy that competes with the formal sector and undermines national economic policy,' one analyst observed. POLICY RECOMMENDATIONS To effectively curb commercial concealment and promote fair competition, experts and business owners advocate for a comprehensive approach. This includes mandating digital payment systems across all retail outlets to ensure transactional transparency and reduce informal cash-based dealings. Authorities should also impose immediate penalties on shops that fail to issue official receipts, as the absence of documentation often signals regulatory evasion. Public awareness campaigns are essential to educate consumers on their rights and encourage them to report violations. Furthermore, establishing more direct communication channels between consumers, municipal authorities, and regulators will enable faster identification and resolution of non-compliant practices. Collectively, these measures can foster accountability, strengthen regulatory oversight and restore confidence in the retail sector. 2022 © All right reserved for Oman Establishment for Press, Publication and Advertising (OEPPA) Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (
Observer
29-03-2025
- Business
- Observer
Hidden trade persists in Salalah as shops shun e-payments
SALALAH, MARCH 29 As Eid approaches, shoppers in the Wilayat of Salalah are increasingly being asked to transfer payments to personal bank accounts rather than using approved electronic systems—an alarming trend that may point to widespread violations of Oman's commercial regulations. In one incident observed by the Oman Observer, a customer at a clothing store was informed that card payments were not accepted. 'Just transfer the money to my bank account,' the shop assistant instructed. Such transactions are becoming more frequent across Salalah's retail sector, according to field visits conducted by the Observer. Many of these outlets appear to be operated by expatriate workers, although they are officially registered under the names of Omani citizens. The lack of electronic payment systems and official invoices has raised serious concerns about potential breaches of Oman's anti-commercial concealment (hidden trade) laws. UNFAIR COMPETITION Ahmed Salim, a small business owner in the Wilayat of Salalah, said that unlicensed operations are undermining legitimate enterprises. 'We issue receipts, comply with tax laws, and use electronic payments. Others sidestep all of that and sell at lower prices. It's not a level playing field,' he said. He added that the situation is discouraging young Omanis from entering the retail sector. 'This kind of environment kills motivation,' he noted. In response to these concerns, the Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Investment Promotion has intensified enforcement. In a recent inspection campaign, the ministry reviewed 1,528 commercial outlets within shopping centres in the governorates of Muscat and Al Batinah South. The campaign led to more than 40 violations against shops that failed to comply with Ministerial Decision No (386/2022), which mandates that retailers must offer electronic payment options to customers. Ahead of Eid, the Ministry also issued a public advisory urging consumers to report any retailer that refuses e-payments or requests money transfers via personal phone-linked accounts. Complaints can be submitted through the Tajawob platform at Regulatory framework In July 2023, the ministry introduced new regulations aimed at combating commercial concealment—defined as enabling unlicensed individuals to operate a business, either independently or in partnership. Under these regulations, offenders face fines ranging from RO 5,000 to RO 15,000, with the potential for permanent licence revocation in cases of repeated violations. Authorities have been granted broad powers to conduct unannounced inspections. Red flags include income transfers to personal accounts, false registration data, unauthorised managerial roles held by foreign workers, and the use of non-commercial bank accounts. Both citizens and residents are required to report suspected violations, while self-reporting may result in reduced penalties. Economists caution that concealed commercial practices reduce public tax revenues and hinder the government's efforts to regulate the market and create employment opportunities for Omanis. 'These shadow transactions create an informal economy that competes with the formal sector and undermines national economic policy,' one analyst observed. POLICY RECOMMENDATIONS To effectively curb commercial concealment and promote fair competition, experts and business owners advocate for a comprehensive approach. This includes mandating digital payment systems across all retail outlets to ensure transactional transparency and reduce informal cash-based dealings. Authorities should also impose immediate penalties on shops that fail to issue official receipts, as the absence of documentation often signals regulatory evasion. Public awareness campaigns are essential to educate consumers on their rights and encourage them to report violations. Furthermore, establishing more direct communication channels between consumers, municipal authorities, and regulators will enable faster identification and resolution of non-compliant practices. Collectively, these measures can foster accountability, strengthen regulatory oversight and restore confidence in the retail sector.
Zawya
21-03-2025
- Business
- Zawya
These commercial establishments in Oman required to provide e-payment services
Muscat: The Ministry of Commerce, Industry, and Investment Promotion (MoCIIP) has reiterated that all commercial establishments in specified sectors must provide electronic payment services and refrain from requesting bank transfers via phone numbers. To ensure compliance, consumers encountering businesses that do not offer electronic payment options can report violations through the "Tajawob" platform. The mandatory electronic payment services apply to several commercial activities, including: Food sales. Restaurants and cafés. Gold and jewelry sales. Electronics sales. Fresh produce sales (fruits and vegetables). Building materials sales. Tobacco sales. Businesses operating in industrial areas, commercial centres, and gift markets. Meanwhile, consumers are encouraged to report non-compliance via the "Tajawob" platform to ensure the widespread adoption of e-payment systems.
