Khaleej Times

DUBAI, Oct 19: Motorists in the UAE, already gnashing their teeth over the traffic snarls, will now have to face another hurdle once the decision by gas stations not to accept credit or debit cards comes into effect tomorrow (Saturday).

While Emarat, Eppco and Enoc have announced they will not accept credit or debit cards from tomorrow citing the surcharge of 1.65 per cent levied by the banks, Adnoc, however, said it will continue to accept them as it follows a different policy.

But, motorists have decried the decision by major gas stations in the UAE saying it would lead to more chaos and long queues as most of them depend on plastic money than liquid cash.

“I don’t carry cash most of the time as card payment is more convenient. This decision will force me to keep cash with me. It is not just inconvenient but I am afraid it would also create more chaos at the stations,” said Mohammed Hussein, a Dubai resident. Rajan Thomas, another Dubai resident, said: “Even though most of the gas stations have ATM machines, it will be time consuming.

“We already spend long hours on the road due to heavy traffic, and now it seems we will be forced to spend more time at gas stations for refuelling too.”

The Emarat gas stations in Dubai have already put up signboards saying no credit or debit cards will be accepted from tomorrow.

They will continue to accept cash cards such as ‘Safeer’ and Em-cash issued by the petroleum companies.

UAE: Cafe, Restaurant Owners Feel Price Hike Heat

Khaleej Times

ABU DHABI, Oct 19: A marked hike in prices of essential commodities is affecting the business of many restaurant and cafeteria owners in the capital, while the residents too are forced to adjust their limited household budgets.

The Indian onions which were earlier available at Dh40 for 35kg are now being sold at Dh80, leaving many restaurant and cafeteria owners high and dry.

Hamid Abdullah, owner of Ritaj Restaurant in the emirate, said, “Every product has registered an increase in price. Sinnora rice, which was available at Dh135 for 40kg, is now being sold at Dh170, and a 10kg milk container, which used to be priced at Dh25, is now being sold at Dh35. While a 40kg flour packet was being sold at Dh60, it is now coming at Dh72; edible oil, which was pegged at Dh47 for 10kg is now being sold by Dh57.”

Abdullah added: “Nowadays, we are hardly saving anything.”

Haider Ali, a cafeteria owner at Electra Street here said he was feeling the pinch of price hike. “The Indian mutton which was available at Dh18.50 for 1kg, is now being sold at Dh22.75. Oil, flour, rice, onions and eggs have also witnessed a steep hike in prices.”

Even plastic items like cups, parcel plates, and bowls have registered an increase of Dh5 on each 100 pieces.

Bejoy Pulicken, advertising and marketing manager at Abu Dhabi Cooperative Society, a big chain of hypermarkets in the capital, said, “We have not increased the prices of edible and non-edible commodities on the occasion of Eid Al Fitr. Our prices are the same and there is no change.”

Aadil Shah Ahmed, a resident of Abu Dhabi, expressed his dismay at the price hike. “We need an umbrella watchdog that can monitor prices in the market.”