Host of initiatives to mark Gulf Consumer Protection Day

Dubai's Department of Economic Development (DED) and the Consumer Protection Department at the Ministry of Economy are set to launch a host of consumer protection initiatives, including price reductions in certain consumer items, starting today, the fifth Gulf Consumer Protection Day.

Price reductions will range between 30 per cent and 50 per cent for certain consumer goods categories and food items and will include both private and public vendors, officials told Emirates Business.

"This will create some type of honest and noble competition, and it will eventually be in the interest of the consumers. Many of these vendors will sell the goods at cost price," said Dr Hashim Saeed Al Nuaimi, Director of the Consumer Protection Department at the Ministry of Economy.

"The initiative of price reductions came first from the Union Co-operative Societies; however, other vendors followed suit," added Dr Al Nuaimi.

Omar Bushahab, CEO of Commercial Compliance and Consumer Protection sector at DED, said: "On the Fifth Gulf Consumer Protection Day [March 1], we will launch 'know your consumer rights' campaign, and it will include launching our special website, www.consumerrights.ae."

DED, in co-operation with Dubai Events and Promotions Establishment and Dubai Shopping Malls Group had launched a consumer awareness campaign last week.

According to Al Nuaimi, consumers' complaints have gone up in the recent past.

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