Conference on consumer rights opens in Dubai
The first Dubai World Conference Exhibition on Consumer Rights (DWCCR) and Power Brands Dubai exhibition was opened on Monday by Sheikh Majid bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Chairman of Dubai Culture and Arts Authority, at the Dubai World Trade Centre.
“Upholding consumer rights and fighting unhealthy practices like counterfeiting are vital elements of the ongoing efforts to add transparency and neutrality to business in Dubai and the UAE,” Sami Al Qamzi, Director General of DED, who delivered the opening address at the conference, said.
“Earlier this year, the Federal Cabinet headed by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, approved a new draft law on combating commercial fraud, reiterating the government’s commitment to protecting consumer rights and the integrity of trade,” Al Qamzi stated.
Al Qamzi added that a major focus of the Department of Economic Development and its Commercial Compliance & Consumer Protection (CCCP) division is on evolving and implementing policies and regulations on consumer rights protection and best practices that would enhance Dubai’s reputation as a competitive retail destination.
“Retailing is one of the leading economic activities in Dubai and its value-add has grown in real terms at more than 12 per cent on average per year in the last decade, accounting for over Dh15 billion in 2011,” Al Qamzi explained.
“The future prospects are quite promising, with growth of the retail value-add forecast to exceed 5.5 per cent annually up to 2015. The Dubai World Consumer Rights Conference and Power Brands Dubai exhibition will enable the private sector and governments learn the best means to leverage such forecasts for sustained growth,” Al Qamzi said.
Speakers at DWCCR include 27 regional and international experts, who will share their observations on 12 critical issues including the role of governments in protecting consumer rights and IPR, benefits of IPR and patent laws, consumer-driven retailing, importance of integrity in sales promotions, corporate social responsibility, protecting brands against counterfeiting, and aligning marketing strategies to modern consumer laws.
The second day of the conference will dedicate the first half to enabling delegates to learn about the best practices in consumer protection followed worldwide.
Dr Said bin Khamis Al Ka’bi, Chairman of the Public Authority for Consumer Protection (PACP) in Oman, Lim Biow Chuan from the Consumer Association of Singapore (CASE), Deon Woods Bell from the US Federal Trade Commission, Dr Rainer Metz, from Germany’s Federal Ministry of Food, Agriculture and Consumer Protection, Connie Lau, former Chief Executive of Hong Kong Consumer Council and Chairperson of the International Advisory Group of Experts on Consumer Protection at UNCTAD and Phairoj Kanungsup from the Office of the Consumer Protection Board (OCPB) will shed light to the best practices followed in their respective jurisdictions.
A panel discussion on ‘Corporate social responsibility: How can you strike a balance between CSR, consumer benefits and your corporate goal?’ moderated by Dr Fatih Mehmet Gul, founder-director of CSR Middle East and country manager for Abdul Latif Jameel Community Initiatives and Bab Rizq Jameel in Turkey, will kick-off the afternoon sessions on the second day. Trek Al Sakka, General Manager, Dubai Refreshments LLC/Pepsi will follow on with a keynote speech on ‘How to manage profit without consistently increasing prices?’
Meanwhile, the region’s leading brands and the best practices in brand promotion will be on showcase in the Power Brands Dubai exhibition. Nearly 30 leading firms including Etisalat, Burj Khalifa, Danube, Lulu Supermarket, Emirates Islamic Bank, Noor Islamic Bank, Landmark Group, Nestle Middle East FZE, Unilever, Yokohama Tyres, Hyundai and Kia are participating in the exhibition.
Entry to the exhibition is free and visitors have the opportunity to win two cars and over 100 valuable prizes in raffle draws.