Pact signed to ensure ample supply of staple products

Muscat: The Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Investment Promotion on Tuesday signed a programme of cooperation with the Consumer Protection Authority (CPA).

The programme comes within the context of integration among government establishments and units.

It reflects the two sides’ keenness to fully utilise their prerogatives and coordinate towards the accomplishment of their common goals.

The cooperation memo was signed by Dr Saleh Said Massan, Under-Secretary of the Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Investment Promotion, and Salayum Ali Al Hikmani, Chairman of the Consumer Protection Authority.

The programme aims to develop investment in the Sultanate in a manner that guarantees the abundance of commodities and staple products in local markets. It also seeks to ensure the quality of the goods and the stability of their prices.

The programme also provides for filing complaints, the registration of offences and the complementation of regulatory procedures, including the exchange of data and information related to the prices of goods and services in Oman and other Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) states.

The Ministry provides the Authority with lists of registered goods and services, as per the provisions of the programme, which also ensures electronic connectivity, an example of which is the Invest-Easy system, which deals with coordinating procedures like the issuance of discount-sale permits and promotional offers.

The programme aims to exchange expertise with regard to standard specifications, check-up procedures and market product safety mechanisms. The Ministry strives to empower the Consumer Protection Authority and enable it to conduct lab tests on goods and products.