Muscat: Heftier penalties including jail terms are being introduced under a new consumer protection law to better protect the local market and consumers. Under the new Consumer Protection and Monopoly Prevention Law, violators must pay local newspapers to publish stories about any offenses committed. Said Bin Khamis Al Kaabi, Chairman of the Public Authority for Consumer Protection said that the old law did not have tough enough penalties for violators.
Al Kaabi says the new law will deter business from violating regulations. The law will provide economic freedom in the local market as well as open up more competition.
Further research will be conducted to identify better rules and regulations to benefit the consumer as well as the supplier, Al Kaabi said.
Omar Al Ghadami, assistant to the chairman for market control, agrees that such a law will allow for more competition for the suppliers to provide the best services for the consumers.
Said Al Kiyumi, Chairman of Oman Chamber of Commerce and Industry (OCCI), lauded the efforts of Sultan Qaboos Bin Said Al Said to encourage a healthier business environment in the country and to protect the rights of the consumers.
Consumers welcomed the new law. “It is a big victory for consumer protection after many years of manipulation and deception at the hands of suppliers,” Ahmad Al Maslahi told Gulf News.
Saif Said is a journalist based in Muscat
