Consumer complaints jump in UAE in H1

The Ministry of Economy is ensuring stabilisation of prices and fair competition, and preventing monopoly tendencies by liaising with relevant departments and authorities in the UAE as the number of consumer complaints in UAE jumped in the first half of this year, said a senior official.

Mohammed Al Shihhi, Undersecretary, UAE Ministry of Economy, said the ministry received 5,002 complaints in 2011, which went up considerably because they introduced a Call Centre in October and resultantly they received about 9,534 complaints from all the emirates until June.

Al Shihhi stated that the ministry does not intervene in certain areas of pricing such as oil and gas, banking and construction work, prices of which are determined by other concerned ministries and departments.

He stressed upon the contribution of the retail sector to the UAE’s economic growth in light of the country having established its credentials as a world-class shopping destination while adhering to the highest quality standards in consumer protection and facilitating smooth interaction between businesses, retailers and consumers.

The Undersecretary of the Ministry of Economy informed about the crucial role played by his Ministry’s Consumer Protection Department in protecting the consumers from exploitation, fraud and monopoly practices.

He also emphasized on the Ministry’s commitment to enhance awareness about best practices by educating consumers about their rights and duties, ensuring stabilisation of prices and fair competition, and preventing monopoly tendencies by liaising with relevant departments and authorities in the UAE.

He praised the important role played by Dubai Chamber in supporting business growth and the promotion of Dubai as an international hub for business and finance and its contribution to putting Dubai on the world economic map.

Hamad Buamim, Director General of Dubai Chamber, attributed the economic success of Dubai to the strong partnership between the public and private sectors.

He said the two-way communication stimulates an exchange of ideas on key issues and is the most important basis of the partnership which goes a long way in supporting the economic development of the emirate.

Buamim was speaking at the 3rd Talk Business at Breakfast networking meeting of the year organised by Dubai Chamber at its head office on Tuesday.

The Director General said Dubai Chamber members’ exports and re-exports during the month of August amounted to Dh20.4 billion as 4,829 traders exported goods to 173 markets around the world.

Buamim further said that the upward trend clearly shows the leading role played by the trade sector and the return of the investors’ confidence in the emirate’s vibrant economy stressing that in July, the Dubai International Airport received the highest monthly passenger numbers in its history.

He also said that the emirate had high hotel occupancy rates and tourist arrivals while the logistics sector was growing fast and development work on infrastructural projects continued unabated.

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