UAE retailers told to stop charging fees on credit card usage

UAE Minister of Economy and Chairman of the Supreme Committee for Consumer Protection Sultan Bin Saeed Al Mansoori has instructed retailers to stop charging additional fees on credit card usage, effective July 1, 2011, after the Committee's meeting, according to a statement.

The Committee has also agreed to liberalise trade of 15 new products including detergents and washing powders, dairy products and juices, drinking water, livestock, feed, fats and oils, and the list will be send to the Cabinet for approval, the statement said.

The Committee also reviewed reports on the following matters: advertisements for fast food outlets, and recommended that awareness measures must be initiated to ensure that customers are not misled by catchy advertising and resort to unhealthy eating, especially of junk food; status of the Call Center in the Consumer Protection Department, and another on the difference between the prices of key food items sold at cooperative societies and major retail outlets.

The Committee was also briefed on a proposal to reduce rental fees at retail outlets and cooperative societies. The committee recommended the distribution of marketing margins equally between retail outlets and consumers.