The Ministry of Economy has organised the 14th GCC Consumer Protection Day in Dubai
The event, held on 1 March each year, is based on the recommendations of the GCC Consumer Protection Committee and includes a range of activities and programmes aimed at enhancing customer protection and satisfaction.
A number of officials from governmental, cooperative and private sectors participated in the event themed ‘Towards Consumer-safe Online Shopping’.
Participants included the Dubai Department of Economic Development, Emirates Society for Consumer Protection, the Automobile Committee, the Committee for Fruits and Vegetables, and the Lulu Group highlighting national efforts in the area of consumer protection and commitment to establish safe online shopping guidelines and practices.
Speaking on behalf of Mohammed Bin Abdul Aziz Al Shehhi, Undersecretary of Economic Affairs in the Ministry of Economy, Hashim Al Nuaimi, director of the Competitiveness and Consumer Protection Department at the Ministry of Economy, said, “Consumer satisfaction and protection of their rights are objectives shared by all GCC countries. GCC Consumer Protection Day is an important annual platform for the exchange of expertise and to widen the scope of consumer protection to ensure a safe and reliable consumer environment in the UAE and other GCC countries.”
“This year’s event has a special significance in light of the declaration of 2019 as the ‘Year of Tolerance’ in the UAE, in line with its leadership’s vision to strengthen the country's status as the global capital of tolerance,” he added.
He pointed out that this year, the Ministry of Economy has launched several initiatives to further strengthen the idea of tolerance in commercial transactions in support of consumer protection policies. Free car maintenance and the initiative to help recover vehicles held in agency workshops for more than six months due to the inability of the owners to pay fines are notable examples in this regard.
He concluded that this year the Consumer Protection Department will continue to launch more initiatives to promote tolerance across different markets in the country.
