Consumer and Competition Division

I had a very interesting meeting with Parliamentary Secretary Edwin Vassallo who, among other things, is responsible for consumer affairs. He informed me about his vision vis-à-vis the Consumer and Competition Division's (CCD) objectives.

Among other things he focused on the need to establish a meaningful dialogue between consumers and traders with a view to clarify the traders' obligations to consumers. There needs to be an analysis of how laws which impact directly on consumer rights are being implemented. This ought to be discussed between the Consumers' Association, the legal sector, the GRTU as well as the CCD. The agenda for this discussion ought to be drawn up on the basis of an analysis of consumer complaints referred to the CCD.

In meetings with Parliamentary Secretary Vassallo, local councils will be asked to think of ways to implement a traders' policy which would also include the efforts to help the Consumers' Association organise its efforts in the local community.

He added that there ought to be a concerted effort by the respective authorities and departments to analyse the efficiency of the service they supply to consumers. Despite the fact that the CCD does not have a legal right to draw up reports on the efficiency of authorities and departments, the government would like a culture/mentality to be nurtured with a view to supplying an efficient customer-oriented service.

In concluding, Mr Vassallo stressed that the result of such efforts should enable us to persuade the respective authorities and departments to enhance their awareness of the need to analyse the quality of the service they are offering with a view to draw up an efficiency audit report. This would strengthen our efficiency culture and value for money.