The Commercial Compliance & Consumer Protection (CCCP) Sector in the Department of Economic Development (DED), Dubai, held a workshop for suppliers, business groups and major outlets in Dubai recently to ensure that traders are fully prepared to meet the demand anticipated during Ramadan. The workshop was aimed to maintain transparency across buying and selling in Dubai and provide a pleasant shopping experience for consumers during the Holy Month.

DED organises seminars and workshops in addition to market visits, to see whether suppliers and retail outlets are fully prepared for the Holy Month and also ensure that special promotions announced by traders comply with the laws and regulations.

Ahmed Al Zaabi, Director of Consumer Protection in DED, said: “We are keen to launch campaigns and initiatives that will enhance merchant-consumer relations and transparency in transactions, especially during the Holy Month of Ramadan when we see a surge in buying and selling. We make sure that consumers do not fall prey to fraudulent practices during the Holy Month and that business is easy and in accordance with the rules and regulation in Dubai and the UAE.”

Al Zaabi added that the workshop emphasised the importance of addressing consumer concerns and complaints through the customer happiness counters in retail outlets in addition to the role of DED Consumer Protection Department in keeping customer relations transparent and credible. “We are pleased with the response from suppliers and traders. They are particularly keen to reduce the number of complaints regarding price increases.”

Al Zaabi noted that the next phase will include a series of visits and inspection campaigns to ensure that the markets and outlets comply with consumer protection laws in Dubai. He called on consumers to report any manipulation or price increase on the number 600 54 5555 or the smart protection application ‘Dubai Consumer’ available on iPhone and Play Store.