Dubai Chamber meeting focuses on unified sales agreement for electronic items

As part of its efforts to enhance the cooperation between the private and public sectors, the Dubai Chamber of Commerce and Industry hosted a roundtable bringing together officials of the Higher Committee for Consumer Protection of the UAE Ministry of Economy and the Electronics Business Group operating under the umbrella of the Chamber, at its premises on Sunday. 

Presided over by H.E. Hisham Al Shirawi, Chairman of Electronics Business Group, this second meeting which was also attended by Dr. Hashim Al Nuaimi, Director of the Consumer Protection Department, UAE Ministry of Economy, Mr. Atiq Juma Nasib, Senior Director, Commercial Services Sector, Dubai Chamber, and officials of the Electronics Business Group, who discussed the introduction of unified sales agreement for electronic items. 

H.E. Al Shirawi pointed out that this is a very good initiative by the Ministry of Economy in raising consumer awareness by creating a unified sales agreement for the electronics sector similar to the one issued for the automobile sector.

He said: “We appreciate the Ministry’s efforts in pursuing the unified sales agreement for the electronics sector. We explained to them the uniqueness of the electronics sector, which is governed by quick product launches with short shelf lives, as well as constant decreases in prices due to the launch of upgraded products. Therefore, what is applicable to the automobile sector may not be feasible for the electronics sector.” 

He further explained that electronic and electrical appliances come in several categories including audio video, personal use items and small and large home appliances and their lifespan varies from product to product hence their warranty period too has to vary in accordance with their durability. 

The meeting also discussed the policies governing replacement of items with manufacturing defects and their lifespan taking into account the rights of the buyers, sellers and the suppliers. 

H.E. Al Shirawi informed that it was agreed that the Ministry will be provided with samples of the contracts that are given to the wholesalers and retailers and the two sides will work together to raise awareness and coordinate to draft the final unified sales agreement. 

On his part, Dr. Nuami explained that with the support of Dubai Chamber his department wants to work with the Group in the best interest of the consumer as he stressed on the importance of the unified sales agreement which he said will protect the rights of the traders and consumers as regards to the products’ maintenance, repairs and availability of spare parts. 

He further stated that the Ministry was cooperating with the Electronics Business Group in this area with their common goal of protecting the rights of the parties concerned while contributing to strengthening the competitiveness of the sector, which in turn, will contribute to the economic growth of the country, he said. 

Mr. Atiq Juma Nasib stated that the meeting came as part of Dubai Chamber’s strategy to reinforce two-way communication with all its stakeholders and to play a strategic role of bridging the gap between the private and public sectors.