Minister of Economy conducts field visits to various retail outlets to ensure price stability and adequate stock availability ahead of Ramadan

H.E. Bin Touq: The UAE boasts an advanced legislative framework for consumer protection and market oversight, and field visits strengthen engagement with retailers to promote fair trade practices

H.E. Abdulla bin Touq Al Marri, Minister of Economy, conducted a series of field visits to various cooperative societies and retail outlets across the UAE, including a Union Coop outlet in Dubai, Lulu Hypermarket, and five other major retail chains, to ensure price stability and product availability ahead of the holy month of Ramadan.

The visits form part of the Ministry's consumer protection efforts, ensuring compliance with the new pricing policy that covers nine basic commodities: cooking oil, eggs, dairy, rice, sugar, poultry, legumes, bread, and wheat. Price increases for these items require prior approval from the Ministry under Cabinet Resolution 120/2022.

The Minister of Economy emphasized that, thanks to the directives of its wise leadership, the UAE today boasts an advanced legislative framework for consumer protection, developed in line with global best practices. This framework facilitates coordination between the Ministry, local economic departments, and government entities for effective market oversight, fostering competitive markets and balanced trader-consumer relationships. It prevents price manipulation across all emirates and contributes to increasing awareness among consumers and suppliers about their rights and obligations, ensuring fair protection for all parties.

H.E. Bin Touq stated: “The field visits focused on ensuring that retail outlets adhere to the new pricing policy for the nine essential consumer goods, preventing unjustified price hikes, and displaying product prices in a clear and readable manner for consumers. This initiative aligns with the Ministry’s strategic goal of strengthening consumer rights and creating a secure and fair shopping environment for all.”

H.E. emphasized that the visits marked a new milestone in reinforcing dialogue with retailers and suppliers, raising their awareness of the consumer conduct code and emphasizing its importance in effectively implementing the pricing policy. These efforts aim to promote ethical business practices, improve market oversight, and ensure that goods and services are sold in adherence with the highest quality standards, in line with the UAE’s objectives to improve the wellbeing of citizens and residents.

His Excellency visited various sections within major retail chains, inspecting the availability of key consumer goods, particularly those in high demand during the holy month of Ramadan. He also engaged with shoppers to gather their insights on price stability across retail outlets.

The inspections reflect strong cooperation between the Ministry and retailers in exchanging essential goods data and ensuring sustainable availability, while also offering special discounts and promotional deals for consumers ahead of the holy month.

The Ministry of Economy underlined that consumers are key partners in market monitoring and urged them to engage with regulatory authorities. It encourages them to stay in touch through the Ministry’s available channels to file complaints, report unfair commercial practices, or submit suggestions to further enhance consumer protection in the country. Consumers can contact the Ministry via the 8001222 hotline.