MoCI cracks down on monopolistic practices to protect consumers

Doha, Qatar: The Ministry of Commerce and Industry (MoCI) has intensified its efforts to confront monopolistic practices and reinforce fair competitio...

Doha, Qatar: The Ministry of Commerce and Industry (MoCI) has intensified its efforts to confront monopolistic practices and reinforce fair competition across Qatar’s markets, implementing strict regulatory, preventive, and enforcement measures to protect investors and consumers alike.

Assistant Director of the Competition Protection Department at the MoCI, Sheikha Jawaher bint Mohammed Al Thani said that the Ministry adopts a comprehensive approach to enforcing the Competition Protection Law, structured around several key pillars aimed at preventing market dominance and anti-competitive behaviour.

Speaking to Qatar TV recently, she explained that one of the Ministry’s primary measures is its regulatory oversight, through which it closely monitors economic policies and market dynamics to maintain balance and ensure equal opportunities for all investors.

“This oversight helps prevent any single entity from gaining unfair control over market activities or distorting competition. A second core measure lies in the strict assessment of mergers and acquisitions,” said Sheikha Jawaher.

She said that the Ministry carefully evaluates proposed corporate consolidations to ensure they do not weaken competition, restrict market entry, or lead to monopolistic structures that could harm consumers and smaller businesses. Sheikha Jawaher said that transactions that pose risks to market competition are subject to intervention or corrective actions.