Published: Wed 4 May 2016, 6:39 PM
Last updated: Thu 5 May 2016, 10:06 AM
Dubai is all set to enter a new era especially after the announcement of the strategic plan of Dubai smart government, according to Aisha Al Muhairi, senior director for development at the Department of Economic Development-Dubai (DED).
The plan synchronises with the new directives of the Dubai government which aims at achieving economic welfare and social progress and ultimately becoming the smartest city in the world.
"This wouldn't have happened without the concerted efforts of the government in implementing the vision of His Highness Shaikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, on the future government designed to make the customer happy," said Al Muhairi.
"All initiatives and projects should contain innovative ideas coupled with imagination, as without imagination and allowing the mind to wander we cannot achieve even the simplest of dreams. However, such imagination should serve as a catalyst to positively benefit humans beings, which is what the government calls for," she added.
The age of technology began with the black and white TV and the landline telephone. Then came cell phones. The past few years have been a roller coaster ride when it comes to technology. The infinite world of the Internet has opened up several avenues and social networking transformed it into an interactive platform."
Our thoughts should also be inspired by some of the images engraved in our memory, she added.
"Do you remember the old movies and cartoons shown almost 30 years ago, and which had conceivably spoken about the future? Now we see planes zooming across the sky and watch sophisticated and advanced technology and infrastructure. All those imaginary notions have materialised, confirming what I said earlier, that dreams will one day come true, but with hard work and effort," Al Muhairi noted.
"In order to become part of a smart city, we must shift from using systems and machines that think like humans to machines that behave like humans," she said. "We are on our way to adopting initiatives that serve the consumer better and instill happiness in his heart and mind. This aspect is part of Dubai's smart plan and is in line with the new era.
So, dream and think positively and creatively in a way that benefits mankind. But, we should not obliterate our human identity and we must not forget that we are human.
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Pesticide company found to be bogus: A consumer lodged a complaint with the consumer complaints section of the Department of Economic Development-Dubai (DED) saying that he had hired a private pest control company to fumigate his house, but later discovered that the process was ineffective.
In his complaint, the man said he had been informed that the said pest control company had an offer and that is what tempted him to hire it. "Several workers visited the complainant's house and fumigated the place without providing any receipt for the job done," said Ayman Al Falasi, Senior Manager of the complaints section.
After a while he discovered that the pesticides were ineffective, and tried to call the company, but in vain.
The complaints section did its best to reach the company but has been unsuccessful. In all probability, the company was bogus and workers visited houses without a permit or trade licence.
The section has referred the complaint to the commercial compliance department for action.
Al Falasi has urged all consumers to take extra caution when dealing with advertising on phones as well as flyers, and to take extra measures to ensure that the ads are real.
Consignee gets consignment money back: The Trade Establishments Section at the Business Protection Department received a complaint from a trader based outside the UAE that he had purchased products from a trade store in Dubai to be sold in his home country. "When the consignment arrived in his country, he was shocked to discover that the goods were not in compliance with the standards accredited in his country, and the authorities refused entry of the goods.
In his complaint, the trader went on to say that he was confused and ultimately resorted to the DED to find a solution for his problem.
"Having reviewed the complaint, the trade establishments section contacted the owner of the trade store who replied that the products are in compliance with the standards and specifications endorsed in Dubai, and might not be accredited in the country of the consignee. However, the trader did not verify these standards, but instead purchased the products," said Hassan Ali, Director of the business protection department.
Hassan Ali praised the owner of the store who settled the problem amicably by pledging to take back the consignment at his expense from the country of the complainant, and hand over the value of the goods to the complainant.
"The exerted efforts are evidence to the awareness of the trader and his proficiency in the importance of cementing the trade relations, and show a creditable and bright image for trade in the emirate of Dubai," he noted.
"Traders must always view and thoroughly go through the standards and specifications, and ensure they are in compliance with those accredited in the region," said Hassan Ali.
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Awareness campaigns, inspections yield results
Awareness campaigns and inspections of Department of Economic Development (DED) have yielded results in the first quarter of the year, Ahmed Al Awadi, Senior Director of the Field Control Section, Department of Economic Development, told Khaleej Times.
Traders are showing a commitment to abide by instructions given to them regarding purchase bill specifications.
A striking change is that traders are refraining from using the statement - 'goods once sold will not be taken back or exchanged'- in the purchase receipts.
However, there is a small segment - 5 per cent - of traders who still refuse to abide by rules and they have been brought before law. They were also informed that they have to abide by the conditions and instructions, which are being in force by the Department of Economic Development in Dubai.
The DED inspectors will visit the errant traders to make sure that how committed they have become. It should be noted that some trading establishments had been booked after receiving complaints from consumers against them.
Consumers claimed that the name mentioned on their bills or purchase receipts did not match with the trading name given in the commercial license.
We, in turn, had inspected those shops and took necessary measures against them.
We advise consumers to verify details given in the bills thoroughly after every purchase as merchants may forget to mention the items purchased on the bill.
Honoured for protecting brand owners' rights
Compliance and Consumer Protection Sector, represented by the Intellectual Property Rights Department, was recently honoured by Amsterdam-based Adidas company for its tireless efforts and continuous work on safeguarding the rights of brand owners and its permanent keenness on protecting the consumers from trade fraud.
It has always been the endeavour of the Department of Economic Development, Dubai ( DED), to provide the best services to the customers, and it always aims at raising the trade awareness.
The department plays an important and essential role in creating a competitive commercial environment appropriate for investment, said Ibrahim Behzad, Director of the Commercial Control Department at the DED.
malzarooni@khaleejtimes.com
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