Department of Economic Development – Ajman issues 57 violations during inspection of 233 commercial outlets for the first half of the Holy Month of Ramadan

UAE, June 12, 2017- In line with its leading role and key commitment towards combatting commercial fraud, the Department of Economic Develop - Ajman's (DED-Ajman) Directorate for Control and Consumer Protection conducted an inspection of 233 commercial outlets in the emirate, which resulted in the issuance of 57 violations committed during the first half of the Holy Month of Ramadan. The inspections were part of the intensive campaigns being implemented to help secure the local consumer markets, especially in the time of Ramada. The move also aims at monitoring and following up on the promotions and advertising activities made by these local business establishments. Ajman-DED revealed that the campaigns and inspections are part of its commitment to protect consumer rights, which remains a strategic priority and an urgent requirement in the efforts to build an ideal investment and consumer-based environment that helps in maintaining the stability of the national economy. 

Mohammed Al Kutbi, Director of Control and Consumer Protection, DED Ajman, explained that the inspection, control and awareness campaigns are an integral part of the DED-Ajman’s efforts to control the change in prices, especially during the Holy Month of Ramadan, where markets are more active than usual. Al Kutbi added, “Our recent inspections have resulted in the issuance of 57 violations, in a move that would undermine the negative economic phenomena and in line with our vision to achieve a thriving economy for the welfare of the residents of Ajman.”

He further added, “We have prepared three intensive inspection campaigns during Ramadan. First, is the inspection of shopping centers and outlets to follow promotions and discounts in order to deter price manipulation and to ensure the stability of prices that protect both consumers and traders. Second, coordination with the Ministry of Economy to visit the vegetable and fruits market to ensure the stable prices of the products and to monitor the infringing shops that use defective weighing scales that do not meet the specifications and permissible standards. Lastly, our aim is to also monitor the violations of advertising and billboards, in line with our efforts to regulate and manage the advertising activity in a consistent way that matches the developmental aspects of the emirate.”

“We will continue our inspection and monitoring campaigns during the remaining days of the holy month, with the aim of maximizing consumer and investment safety. We are fully committed to making investors and customers happy, which falls in line with the core values of our business and our vision of building a diversified competitive economy for sustainable development in Ajman,” concluded Al Kutbi.