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1,081 messages exchanged between govt departments and DED

The Department of Economic Development (DED) in Dubai has urged all its partners — local and government departments — to join the Observations Exchange Programme.

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Citing figures released by the department, Omar Al Muhairi, Director of Development and Follow-Up at the Commercial Compliance and Consumer Protection Division, said the number of messages exchanged between the strategic partners and covered by the programme was 1,081, which he described as extremely important.

He said the programme is a leading scheme in the field of integrated electronic services as it boosts the partnership among government and local government departments online.

The programme consists of a slew of operations: criteria for exchanging information, business and messages among the partners online. It includes all the forms of online information and verification of the message.

Important partners of the DED are the General Postal Authority, Real Estate Regulatory Agency, General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs - Dubai, Department of Health and Medical Services, Knowledge and Human Development Authority, Civil Defence Department - Dubai, Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing, Telecommunications Regulatory Authority, Islamic Affairs and Charitable Activities Department in Dubai (IACAD), Dubai Maritime City Authority, Community Development Authority, Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (Dewa), Ministry of Economy, Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs, Dubai Municipality, and Roads and Transport Authority.

The best example of exchange of observations was when the Dubai Municipality monitored street vendors and reported their unhealthy activities to the Commercial Compliance and Consumer Protection Section, he said.

All departments taking part in the programme are assigned a field task force of the division which can take any company to task.

“The programme links the departments and has the capability of dealing with different companies according to different criteria,” he noted.

The advantage of such a collaboration includes improving the relationship between the departments, boost the country’s policy to work as electronic government, saves time and administrative expenses, enhances the competitiveness of the partners, improves the internal management, helps in improving the surveillance and monitors the information of the field work.

This has lead to an increase in transparency and strengthening of the public services.

The government and local government departments will be able to plan, report and take decision faster and will thus be able to respond to the changing needs and the market trends.

The vision of the programme has taken the lead in immediate reporting whether for local entities or with government bodies.

It also facilitates the services and the relevant online solutions. The programme thus serves effectively as a strategic platform and a sole national window that ensures the highest quality standards with the help of integrating the e-services among the departments concerned.

Bills and receipts have to be issued also in Arabic

Preserving Arabic language has been one of the important initiatives that His Highness Shaikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, has backed and recommended. He has also suggested a score of initiatives that would boost the stature of the Arabic language and make the UAE a centre of excellence for Arabic language.

In line with the directives of Shaikh Mohammed to make it mandatory for all commercial and sales outlets operating in Dubai to issue purchase bills in Arabic, DED has partnered with sales outlets and departmental stores in Dubai to implement this new scheme.

To issue a bill or a receipt in Arabic will bring justice to Arabic speaking consumers who would be able to understand and review the items they have purchased by reading their invoice.

Further, issuing bills in Arabic language will also maintain the identity, heritage of the country and will help people stay in touch with their language. This will also facilitate the communication between a consumer and the authorities as the former can review the bill and see if he is overcharged by mistake caused inadvertently by the cashier or the receipt-issuing machine.

The commercial control and consumer protection sector will accordingly raise awareness of those concerned in the commercial sector to meet such a recommendation and follow it up.

The commercial control and consumer protection sector of DED will see to it that all purchase receipts are in Arabic and English, and will stamp the consumer protection logo atop the receipt.

The section is looking to enrol 30% of trading shops in the initiative by the end of this year, and will ensure that by 2015 all shops make it a practice.

The DED shall also work with the retailing establishments in Dubai to issue purchase bills in both Arabic and English.

The bills should have a shop’s policy and terms of purchase along with other important information that could raise consumers’ awareness in order to maintain their rights, in both Arabic and English.

(As told by Omar Bushehab, Executive Director of the Commercial Control and Consumer Protection Sector, DED)

salah@khaleejtimes.com

Khaleej Timesruns the ‘Consumer Forum’ series in collaboration with the Department of Economic Development in Dubai. Readers can email their complaints and suggestions tonews@khaleejtimes.comwith the subject line ‘Consumer Forum’ or raise them directly with the DED on phone number600 545 555

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