Dubai: A roadshow comprising officials is currently touring Dubai car showrooms to discuss concerns of customers and sellers during Ramadan, when car sales usually increase, followed by other markets.

The Commercial Compliance and Consumer Protection (CCCP) sector in the Department of Economic Development (DED) has launched the roadshow as part of its ‘We Reach Out To You’ initiative.

Consumers can also contact DED on the Ahlan Dubai number — 600 54 5555 — to report any manipulation or unreasonable increase in prices. Additionally, such issues can also be raised on the twitter handle @Dubai_Consumers or on the consumer protection channel of Blackberry Messenger.

The CCCP teams will evaluate the proposals and develop action plans related to the various issues discussed, including receiving consumer complaints, prompt responses to consumer complaints and improving consumer awareness.

The roadshow is targeting specific groups and gathering feedback on sales and services and also imparting knowledge on consumer protection and related mechanisms.

The DED launched the initiative to spread consumer awareness among groups that require special attention, especially women and the elderly. This Ramadan, the roadshow has already covered most of the car showrooms in Dubai, interviewing merchants and consumers, assessing their needs and concerns and familiarising them with commercial compliance and consumer protection mechanisms, with emphasis on friendliness and openness.

Ahmad Al Zaabi, Senior Manager, Consumer Awareness, DED, said the car showrooms were selected to launch the initiative with the objective of reaching out to the largest possible number of dealers and consumers.

Al Zaabi said in the next stage, the roadshow would cover popular areas, including residential communities and women’s associations as well as salons, parents and teachers in schools, and the fish market to connect with as many consumers and traders as possible.

“Many traders said they would like to hold workshops and brainstorming sessions with the CCCP sector on car dealers’ responsibilities towards consumers as well as ways and initiatives to strengthen customer relations. We would also coordinate with other entities in organising these workshops as many traders mentioned improved mechanisms in certain areas such as scrapping old cars.”