During 2023, the Department of Planning and Development (Trakhees), the regulatory body of the Ports, Customs, and Free Zone Corporation, ramped up its inspection efforts in retail facilities across its designated development zones, carrying out over 22,249 inspection tours, leading to the issuance of 450 violations across different sectors.
According to recent official statistics released by the Licensing Department of Trakhees, there was a significant increase in the number of inspection tours during 2023, showing a 108 percent rise compared to 2022. In 2022, there were 10,692 inspection tours organised by the Commercial and Retail Inspection Department, resulting in 220 violations.
For his part, Abdullah Belhoul, CEO of Trakhees, explained how the Department conducts a series of inspection tours across various areas based on a thorough plan and specific schedule. These inspections adhere to specialised standards and are aimed at achieving strategic goals related to enforcing standards and requirements in trade and retail areas, with a focus on reducing violations to protect customer rights and interests.
Abdullah Belhoul added,
“We allocated different teams to implement these campaigns, and the observed violations varied between exploiting additional spaces without an official permit and non-compliance with the special mandatory specifications that must be followed in accordance with the regulations, laws and guidelines of the Trakhees Department”.
The reports indicated that the inspection tours varied between routine tours according to the approved annual inspection plan, through which the integrity of all commercial practices and safety requirements is ensured.
Belhoul emphasised Trakhees Department's dedication to enhancing and maintaining inspection activities, along with enforcing penalties and fines as per the country's laws and regulations for those who violate them. He highlighted the department's aim to ensure that commercial entities uphold proper practices and guide customers to comply with regulations and laws, including taking legal action against violators.
News Source: Emirates News Agency
