Consumer redressal a priority: Minister

Minister of Industry, Commerce and Tourism Zayed bin Rashid Al Zayani delivered a speech on the occasion of Gulf Consumer Protection Week, being held on the first week of March every year.

The Minister stated that issues affecting consumers has become the priorities of all countries in order to protect their economies and to dedicate transparency and justice as well as protect consumers from unfair business practices.

The Ministry has taken efforts to consolidate consumer protection by educating the consumers of their rights and duties as well as controlling markets to prevent unfair business practices.

In 2015, the Consumer Protection Directorate redressed 96pc of the 675 complaints received of which 80.6pc was resolved within 15 days. The Directorate collected about BD26,310 as refund for consumers and distributed about BD61,818 worth of substituent goods.

Last year, the Directorate also issued 2,592 licences to establish discounts and 1,252 licences for promotional campaigns besides supervising the withdrawal of 614 prizes for the promotional campaigns.  In 2015, the Directorate has held 10 field surveys, 1,780 inspection visits besides taking necessary legal action against 211 violations.