Directorate recovers BD270,000 funds, resolves 98.8% complaints last year

TDT | Manama

Email: mail@newsofbahrain.com

His Excellency Abdulla Fakhro, Minister of Industry and Commerce, announced significant achievements by its Consumer Protection Directorate in 2023, highlighting its effectiveness in resolving consumer complaints and recovering funds for consumers.

In response to a parliamentary question from MP Mohammed Al Ahmed, the Minister revealed impressive statistics.

The Directorate successfully recovered BD270,795 for consumers between January 2023 and November 2024.

He noted that the value of the exchanged goods during the same period amounted to BD72,505 in favour of consumers.

Complaints

The Directorate’s efficiency in handling consumer complaints is equally noteworthy.

Out of 14,482 complaints received, a remarkable 98.8% (14,305 complaints) were resolved within the same period. The remaining 177 complaints are currently under investigation.

“The Directorate ensures that all complaints are investigated within 60 days of submission, with a detailed report outlining all actions taken,” he stated.

Offense

Fakhro explained that actions taken against violators vary depending on the severity of the offense.

Penalties range from warnings and requests for correction to more stringent measures.

In serious cases, the Directorate may recommend administrative closure or removal from the commercial register for up to six months, as per Article 23 of the Consumer Protection Law.

Cases involving particularly egregious violations may be referred to the Public Prosecution.

Intiatives

“Beyond complaint resolution, the Ministry is actively involved in initiatives to support consumers. Forty-nine commercial entities participated in the “Consumer Friend” initiative in 2024, resulting in price reductions on at least ten essential food items for over 300,000 consumers,” he said.

“The Ministry also outlined its ongoing efforts to monitor essential food and consumer goods. This includes identifying key products, monitoring market trends, and collaborating with the private sector to ensure adequate supply and contingency plans for emergencies.”