Dr Hashim Al Nuwaimi, director of consumer protection department, Ministry of Economy announced it while inaugurating the ‘6^th GCC during March’ in the

 Capital on Tuesday. The theme of this year’s consumer day campaign is ‘Rationalising Consumption is Our Right’.

Al Nuwaimi said the reduced prices range between 20 and 40 per cent on essential commodities which include flour, milk, tea, rice, sugar, oil, canned food, coffee, pasta, flour, sauce, pickles, biscuits and other products. These products would be displayed separately in the supermarkets, he said. A number of representatives from different leading coopera-tives societies and hypermarkets took part in the launch of the campaign and expressed support for consumers by not increasing the prices of various edible and non-edible commodities.

Most of the participating hypermarkets agreed to reduce the prices by up to 40 per cent during the month while some supermarkets would continue to offer a 30 per cent discount after this month, too.

The UAE celebrated the Gulf Consumer Protection Day (GCPD) on March 1 to raise awareness on consumer rights and prevent unwanted spending, thus helping families better manage their financial resources.

The GCPD is the result of the GCC council’s determination to spread awareness on consumer protection across the region and educate the public. Since its introduction in 2005, the GCPD has grown in stature and acceptance.

Al Nuwaimi advised people to think about the family budget and prepare a list of necessary materials and not to be influenced by tempting advertise-ments. He also urged consumers to read food labels carefully before buying the foodstuff and double check its production and expiry dates.

During the month, the Ministry of Economy, along with cooperative societies and hypermarkets, will distribute brochures and booklets to make them aware of their rights. “We intend to make people aware of their rights as consumers, urging them to refrain from buying food lacking nutritional value and better to focus on fresh food,” said Al Nuwaimi.

Al Nuwaimi asked consumers not to run after branded food items, but instead to purchase commodities with good nutrition value. Mohammed Hassan Al Shamsi, member of the Consumer Coop Union, said: “In order to bring out subsidised commodities at support prices we be-gan to produce several essential foodstuff in the country under the brand name ‘Coop’.

Some 260 essential food products will be sold at reduced prices ranging between 10 to 30 per cent, Al Shamsi said. “We always import goods from manufacturing countries in Asia and Europe so that we can sell it at support prices to consumers,” Al Shamsi said.

The CCU has 88 branches in the country and it sold commodities worth Dh5.2 billion in 2010. As per our commitment to the Emiritisation, we have hired so far around 600 Emiratis in different positions, Al Shamsi said.In case of any complaint, fraud, monopoly and high prices, consumers can call on the ministry’s hotline 600522225.

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