Consumer Protection Directorate received over 2,700 complaints in H1

TDT | Manama

The Daily Tribune – www.newsofbahrain.com

The Consumer Protection Directorate of the Ministry of Industry, Commerce & Tourism handled 2,772 complaints during the first half of this year, said a top official. Shaikh Hamad bin Salman Al Khalifa, the Assistant Undersecretary for Domestic and Foreign Trade at the Ministry of Industry and Trade, said this number is a 20% increase compared to the same period a year ago.

He also announced resolving 86% of the complaints amicably, with the remaining cases directed for judicial review.

The Directorate also referred 20 facilities in the Kingdom to the Public Prosecution for violation of laws. "We also closed two commercial facilities after receiving complaints repeatedly against them and for their lack of commitment to provide quality services," Shaikh Hamad said.

He also revealed limiting the replacement and refund policy to specific cases within the first 15 days of purchase under Consumer Protection Law.No. (35) of 2012. The Department, he said, collected BD121,711 in favour of consumers in cases related to refunds.

The total value of replaced goods touched BD11,970. He said the Directorate resolved 76% of the complaints in five working days and 10% in 10 days. Complaints related to furniture, vehicles and others took longer to resolve. The Directorate receives complaints throughout the week and around the clock through the national communication system, the National Contact Center hotline, via e-mail and directly at the Ministry of Industry and Commerce.