Putting the consumer first

Ensuring that the consumer is protected in the marketplace is a major concern of the Ministry for Competitiveness and Communications. During the recent visit to Malta by the EU Consumer Protection Commissioner Meglena Kuneva, a number of initiatives were introduced that will ensure the government's and the European Commission's goal of enhancing the role of consumers as important actors in the Internal Market becomes a reality.

Together with the European Commission, the government is supporting an information campaign to raise consumers' awareness of their rights when it comes to making decisions about products and services they purchase. In order to ensure such a campaign is as effective as possible my ministry, through the Consumer and Competition Division, has allocated significant resources to strengthen collaboration with the European Commission and the Consumers' Association.

Seeking to build on the service the Consumers' Association has been providing over the past two decades, the government has provided funds for the association to recruit an executive director to manage affairs more effectively. We are also making other resources available so that the consumer lobby can raise the profile of its operations and, thus, serve the interests of consumers more directly.

In order to coordinate such efforts in a comprehensive manner, the government has made an important investment in a centre for consumers, which will house the European Consumer Centre (Malta) and the Consumers' Association. The consumers centre introduces a new dimension to consumer protection in Malta that is cross-border in nature.

The services of this centre can be availed of by consumers who have purchased goods or services from another EU member state either while on holiday or, for example, through the internet. The European consumers centre in Malta will also assist persons residing in other EU member states and who purchased goods and services in Malta. Forming part of the European Consumer Network, a joint action by the Commission and the EU member states, with centres in 27 member states as well as Iceland and Norway, the centre will bring Maltese and Gozitan consumers on a level playing field with their European counterparts when it comes to protecting their rights.

The concerted approach being adopted by the government, the European Commission and the Consumers' Association will result in an upgrade in consumer protection by equipping the consumer with more mechanisms to select from when it comes to taking informed decisions. It is, however, up to the consumers themselves to take an active role in this initiative if the maximum benefit is to be derived from such an undertaking.

Recently, the substantial increase in the price of raw materials, especially the price of cereals, has been hitting the headlines on a regular basis. The price of most grains, including wheat, has practically doubled over the last six months and this has inevitably hit us as well. We have already taken measures to mitigate the increase in the price of typical Maltese bread.

From past experience we know that blanket price controls do not work. They bring about a lot of abuse and, eventually, lead to a reduction in choice and quality. The best way always is for the consumer to be given the widest choice possible to be in a position to compare prices and go for the best value.

In a rapidly changing world where the marketplace becomes more and more complex, the government will remain committed to putting the rights of consumers first. A better-integrated European consumer protection network will serve as another step towards integrating Malta's consumers into the fabric of EU society. Enhanced consumer confidence will also be beneficial to the business sector as more confidence will translate into more economic growth.

Mr Galea is Minister for Competitiveness and Communications.