During a media briefing held by the Ministry of Economy to highlight its sustained efforts in the field of customer protection, Abdullah Sultan Al Fan Al Shamsi, Assistant Under-Secretary for the Monitoring and Follow Up Sector at the Ministry of Economy, emphasized that the UAE has a robust customer protection framework that prioritizes consumer rights and promotes market stability and prosperity. In addition, Al Shamsi explained that the Ministry works alongside federal and local government partners, the Supreme Committee for Consumer Protection, cooperatives, the private sector, and stakeholders to develop and implement policies and initiatives that uphold consumer rights in line with global standards and the UAE’s Federal Law No. 15 of 2020 on Consumer Protection.
Al Shamsi also shared that the Ministry held meetings with basic commodity suppliers to ensure sufficient stocks of essential items such as rice, flour, sugar, meat, poultry, fish, dairy products, and juices during Ramadan. The Ministry also worked with fruit and vegetable committees in Dubai and Abu Dhabi to ensure adequate stocks of produce. In addition, Al Shamsi stated that the Ministry would monitor initiatives announced by cooperative societies and sales outlets, including discounts on various commodity prices during Ramadan. The Ministry and its partners also conducted inspections to ensure compliance with Ministry decisions regarding prices, with 94,123 inspections conducted in 2022, and 8,170 inspections conducted in the first few months of 2023.
Al Shamsi highlighted the UAE’s efficient policies for ensuring the availability of strategic stocks of essential commodities, which prioritize the government’s commitment to citizens, residents, and visitors. He emphasized that the Ministry worked to prevent unjustified price hikes and strengthened methods for combating monopoly practices and supporting sound trade practices. Al Shamsi also noted that consumers play a crucial role in enhancing consumer protection in the UAE by providing feedback and suggestions through communication channels.
Finally, the Ministry is set to announce new initiatives in the field of consumer protection, including the issuance of executive regulations for Federal Law No. 15 of 2020 on Consumer Protection, which will support the legal reference to preserving consumers’ rights and ensuring the right balance between the rights of merchants, suppliers, and sales outlets.