Egyptian Supply minister inaugurates African consumer protection conference

Supply Minister Khaled Hanafy Monday inaugurated the seventh annual African Consumer Protection Dialogue conference, which lasts until Thursday.

Fifteen African countries are taking part in the conference meant to protect consumers through cooperation to settle disputes.

Hosting the event, Egypt is seeking to restore its role in the continent, Hanafy said.

It is a big chance to exchange views and opinions, the minister said, noting that each country has its own challenges and experiments to share.

Cairo has taken steps to protect consumers by amending the consumer protection law, Hanafy said.

Many consumer-protection branches have been inaugurated in Upper Egypt, the Delta and Alexandria to boost citizens' awareness of their rights, the minister added. He urged the civil society, consumer protection associations in particular, to contribute to the process, stressing that the government cannot possibly do the job alone.

Charles Harwood, Director of the US Federal Trade Commission's Bureau of Consumer Protection, said Egypt has played a pivotal role in the Arab region and world.

He said he is happy Cairo is hosting the conference.

Harwood said the commission is acting to protect citizens and revive the economy. The inauguration of the New Suez Canal, according to Harwood, constitutes a quantum leap in the Egyptian economy.

Chairman of the Consumer Protection Agency Atef Yaqoub said that having the conference in Cairo sends a clear message to the world that Egypt is restoring its natural position among African and world countries.

It also assures the world about security and stability in the country, Yaqoub added.

The conference aims to enhance cooperation between African countries regarding cross-border consumer complaints, he said.

It also aims to outline mechanisms by which to exchange information and expertise among member states, he added.

The agency is waiting for President Abdel Fattah El Sisi to sign into law a new consumer protection bill, Yacoub noted.