The Ministry of Commerce and Industry (MOCI) recently issued an important notice urging compliance with regulations governing service villas in residential areas. This notice follows the detection of violations in the use of licenses granted for such villas, prompting the ministry to emphasize the importance of adhering to relevant regulations to ensure that permitted activities are conducted properly.
The ministry stressed that one of the key requirements is that the activity carried out must be among those allowed in service villas. Furthermore, the license must cover only one activity for the entire property without dividing it into multiple activities. This measure aims to create a suitable environment for licensed operations and prevent unauthorized uses.
To enforce the law, the ministry called on all investors operating in service villas to ensure they meet all licensing requirements and comply with authorized activities. It also urged them to obtain necessary approvals from relevant authorities to avoid legal liability and ensure their business operations align with current laws.
According to Article 18 of Law No. 5 of 2015 concerning commercial, industrial, and public shops, the relevant department, in coordination with concerned entities, has the authority to close a business for up to 15 days if it breaches general or specific conditions. Offenders are granted an opportunity to address the violations within this period. If non-compliance persists, the closure can be extended further.
Business owners may appeal closure decisions within 10 days of being notified, with the responsible minister required to respond within 15 days. If no response is given, the appeal is considered implicitly rejected, underlining the importance of adherence to the law to avoid penalties.
This notice reflects the government’s commitment to regulating commercial activities within service villas, enhancing the business environment, and fostering economic growth. Compliance with these guidelines helps safeguard the community from illegal activities and ensures services are provided in an orderly manner in line with economic developments.
The ministry concludes by emphasizing the importance of following its guidelines to maintain legal business operations. It warns that violating conditions could expose businesses to legal penalties and sanctions.
