Business

Consumer Protection Week targets young consumers

 
The Consumer Protection Authority inaugurated the events of the 'Arab Consumer Protection Week' in a forum yesterday, under the auspices of Sayyid Mohammed bin Sultan bin Hamoud al Busaidi, Vice President of the Supreme Judicial Council.

The forum, a first of its kind, is hosted by the Sultanate of Oman with an emphasis on young consumers and sustainable consumption.

In his keynote speech, Chairman of the Consumer Protection Authority, Sulayem bin Ali al Hikmani, shared: 'Consumer protection has become an important part of the economic reform process all around the world. The consumer was and remains the cornerstone of economic society. Thus, developed societies no longer view him as a marginal element of the economic equation, but as the key element around which the rest of the elements revolve.”

“Despite the importance of young consumers being an important segment of society, and given the intellectual and technological challenges facing them and affecting their social and economic behaviours, this segment may not have received enough attention from researchers and scholars.”

“Therefore, the Arab Consumer Protection Week will include a number of events and awareness programs that address the category of young consumers, including the establishment of the 'Young Consumer Village' (Aman Village) as an entertainment and educational event for young consumers. An electronic application will also be launched for the small consumer, and an awareness program will be implemented in cooperation with a number of students The schools are entitled (Ambassador of the Small Consumer), in addition to various awareness programs in this regard.”

The forum was attended by consumer protection representatives from fellow Arab States, and included working papers addressing the status of young consumers in the region.

'Aman Village', an educational and recreational village to raise consumption awareness amongst children and young people will be established during March 9 to 13 in Muscat Grand Mall.

Earlier this year, the Consumer Protection Authority in Muscat revealed that it recovered RO 1,553,265 in refunds following complaints from consumers.