Latest news with #ConsumerProtectionAuthority
Muscat Daily
22-06-2025
- Muscat Daily
CPA uncovers sand fraud in Barka
Barka – The Consumer Protection Authority (CPA), in coordination with the Barka Police Station and the Public Prosecution in Barka, has successfully uncovered an unlicensed operation involved in the adulteration and illegal sale of construction sand. The joint effort led to the seizure of quantities of tampered sand, mixing equipment, and construction waste at a covert site. The operation follows a consumer report, alleging the fraudulent sale of mixed sand. According to the complaint, fine sand was being blended with sea sand and construction debris and sold as 'plaster' sand for use in building works. Acting on the report, inspection teams launched a thorough investigation and conducted field visits to the suspected site. The investigations confirmed the illicit activity, and authorities moved swiftly to confiscate the materials and equipment used in the operation. The individual responsible for the site, along with the driver of a transport vehicle used in the scheme, were apprehended at the scene. During questioning, both admitted to knowingly engaging in commercial fraud by distributing the adulterated sand as high-quality construction material. Further investigations revealed that the site operated without the required licenses for handling or selling construction materials. A financial penalty of RO1,000 was imposed on the violators, and legal measures were taken, including referral to the competent authorities for further investigation and possible prosecution. CPA reaffirmed its commitment to protecting consumer rights and ensuring the integrity of goods and services offered in the local market. It called on members of the public to remain vigilant and report any suspicious commercial activities that may compromise product quality or public safety.
Times of Oman
17-06-2025
- Business
- Times of Oman
Seminar discusses challenges, innovative solutions for local products in North Al Batinah
Sohar: A seminar titled 'The Local Product as an Added Value: Challenges and Innovative Solutions'* was held on Tuesday in Sohar. It was organised by the Omani Consumer Protection Association in cooperation with the Directorate General of Consumer Protection in North Al Batinah Governorate. The event saw participation from several government and private sector institutions in the governorate. The seminar comes within the framework of cooperation and coordination between the Consumer Protection Authority and the Omani Consumer Protection Association across various fields, including awareness-raising. It highlighted the local product as an added value through multiple working papers presented during the event. The symposium aimed to raise comprehensive awareness about the importance of local products in supporting the national economy and achieving sustainable development in the Sultanate of Oman, as they are one of the key pillars of long-term economic growth. It addressed the challenges facing local products, such as competition from imported goods and high production costs, while proposing effective strategies to enhance competitiveness in local and international markets. Additionally, it discussed the role of media, marketing, and promotion of Omani products through impactful awareness campaigns to elevate consumer consciousness.
Zawya
17-06-2025
- Business
- Zawya
Oman: Rise in complaints amidst growth in e-commerce
MUSCAT - As e-commerce gains traction in Oman, the Consumer Protection Authority (CPA) has reported a rise in complaints from consumers in the Sultanate of Oman. Speaking to the Observer during a recent e-commerce conference, the Director of Market Regulation and Monitoring Department at the CPA, Khalid bin Salem al Siyabi, shared the following, 'Over the past few years, we've seen a significant increase in consumer complaints. In 2022, we received 29 complaints. In 2023, that jumped to 493 complaints, and RO 5,272 was recovered for consumers. In 2024, complaints quadrupled to 1,845. In just the first quarter of 2025, we received 2,208 complaints, and recovered RO 31,249 for consumers. This is a major increase compared to 2024 — and it's only the first quarter. The annual increase is significant, reflecting a strong shift toward e-commerce in Oman.' According to Al Siyabi, the surge is due to shifts in consumer behaviour as more consumers resort to online shopping. 'This reflects broader global trends. Consumer habits have shifted — people no longer drive to stores as often; instead, they rely on online platforms. While this has made shopping more convenient, it has also opened the door to new challenges, such as fraud, unverified sellers, and misleading advertising,' he said. The official added that unclear and inaccurate production descriptions are amongst the frequent issues reported. 'Many consumers receive products that don't match what was promised. That's a major issue — consumers often complain about differences in color, size, or features. In many cases, the product descriptions on e-commerce sites are vague or unclear, which causes confusion and leads to disputes or complaints,' he said. Moreover, the Director shared that the Authority has detected various cases of electronic fraud, in which case the Authority directs consumers to file reports to the Public Prosecution or the ROP directly. Urging consumers to take several precautions before making purchases, he stressed: 'Our main advice is to stay informed and cautious before making any online purchases. Consumers should ensure that the platform they're using is properly licensed. For websites, they should look for secure connections — that means URLs beginning with 'https' and a visible padlock symbol. These are signs that the website is legitimate and less likely to be involved in fraud.' he said. The Consumer Protection Authority is a key stakeholder in the country's E-Commerce programme, which was launched in 2023, and falls under the Digital Economy Programme umbrella. Last year, the Under-Secretary for Commerce & Industry at the Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Investment Promotion, Dr Saleh bin Said Masan, unveiled that the value of the Omani e-commerce market is expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate of 9.8 per cent from 2023 to 2027 to reach a market size of $3.27 billion. 2022 © All right reserved for Oman Establishment for Press, Publication and Advertising (OEPPA) Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (
Observer
17-06-2025
- Business
- Observer
Oman promotes safe e-shopping at National Forum
MUSCAT: The Consumer Protection Authority (CPA), in collaboration with the Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Investment Promotion, hosted the national E-Commerce Forum on Monday under the theme 'E-Commerce: Between Consumer Rights and Supplier Responsibilities.' The event brought together key stakeholders from the public and private sectors, as well as digital economy specialists, to spotlight the importance of consumer protection in the evolving digital marketplace. This initiative reinforces Oman's commitment to advancing digital rights and promoting safe online shopping in support of Oman Vision 2040, which places strong emphasis on innovation, knowledge-based growth and digital transformation. Opening the forum, Muzna bint Rashid al Maamariyah, Acting Director of Communication and Media at the CPA, underscored the significance of collaborative dialogue among consumers, suppliers, regulators and economic players. She emphasised that as digital shopping becomes more prevalent, there is a growing need to foster awareness, ensure fair trade practices and protect consumer interests. A key highlight of the forum was a video presentation followed by an overview of the CPA's awareness campaign titled 'Safe E-Shopping: A Vision Built on Achievement,' presented by Dr Muneera al Fikri. The event also featured the launch of an interactive exhibition showcasing digital tools and applications designed to support safe and transparent online commerce. In parallel, a nationwide public survey was introduced to evaluate consumer understanding of e-commerce risks and rights. The first panel session featured presentations on regulatory measures and digital market safety. Azza al Kindi from the Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Investment Promotion addressed 'E-Commerce Regulation in the Sultanate of Oman,' followed by Khalid al Siyabi from the CPA discussing 'Safe Shopping in the Digital Economy.' Hajer bint Qambar al Ajmiyah from the Central Bank of Oman concluded the session with insights on 'Regulatory Framework for Financial Consumer Protection.' The second session delved into behavioural economics and digital policy frameworks. Arwa bint Obeid al Zaabiyah from the Ministry of Economy presented 'Digital Fraud from a Behavioural Economics Perspective,' while Hilal al Alawi from the Telecommunications Regulatory Authority discussed postal service rights related to e-commerce. Rashid al Alawi from the Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Investment Promotion wrapped up with a presentation on the 'Policy and Executive Programme for the Postal Sector.' An open forum at the end allowed participants to engage directly with speakers, raising questions and sharing perspectives on digital consumer challenges and opportunities. This forum forms part of the CPA's broader 'Safe E-Shopping' campaign, which aims to raise public awareness and build a responsible online shopping culture in Oman. The initiative seeks to strengthen consumer confidence, promote regulatory innovation, and create a transparent digital environment that benefits both consumers and businesses. By convening regulators, service providers, and subject-matter experts, the event highlighted the urgent need for inclusive policies and robust consumer safeguards as Oman moves towards becoming a trusted regional hub for digital commerce — where innovation, trust and fairness define the marketplace.
Observer
16-06-2025
- Business
- Observer
Rise in complaints amidst growth in e-commerce
MUSCAT, JUNE 16 As e-commerce gains traction in Oman, the Consumer Protection Authority (CPA) has reported a rise in complaints from consumers in the Sultanate of Oman. Speaking to the Observer during a recent e-commerce conference, the Director of Market Regulation and Monitoring Department at the CPA, Khalid bin Salem al Siyabi, shared the following, 'Over the past few years, we've seen a significant increase in consumer complaints. In 2022, we received 29 complaints. In 2023, that jumped to 493 complaints, and RO 5,272 was recovered for consumers. In 2024, complaints quadrupled to 1,845. In just the first quarter of 2025, we received 2,208 complaints, and recovered RO 31,249 for consumers. This is a major increase compared to 2024 — and it's only the first quarter. The annual increase is significant, reflecting a strong shift toward e-commerce in Oman.' According to Al Siyabi, the surge is due to shifts in consumer behaviour as more consumers resort to online shopping. 'This reflects broader global trends. Consumer habits have shifted — people no longer drive to stores as often; instead, they rely on online platforms. While this has made shopping more convenient, it has also opened the door to new challenges, such as fraud, unverified sellers, and misleading advertising,' he said. The official added that unclear and inaccurate production descriptions are amongst the frequent issues reported. 'Many consumers receive products that don't match what was promised. That's a major issue — consumers often complain about differences in color, size, or features. In many cases, the product descriptions on e-commerce sites are vague or unclear, which causes confusion and leads to disputes or complaints,' he said. Moreover, the Director shared that the Authority has detected various cases of electronic fraud, in which case the Authority directs consumers to file reports to the Public Prosecution or the ROP directly. Urging consumers to take several precautions before making purchases, he stressed: 'Our main advice is to stay informed and cautious before making any online purchases. Consumers should ensure that the platform they're using is properly licensed. For websites, they should look for secure connections — that means URLs beginning with 'https' and a visible padlock symbol. These are signs that the website is legitimate and less likely to be involved in fraud.' he said. The Consumer Protection Authority is a key stakeholder in the country's E-Commerce programme, which was launched in 2023, and falls under the Digital Economy Programme umbrella. Last year, the Under-Secretary for Commerce & Industry at the Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Investment Promotion, Dr Saleh bin Said Masan, unveiled that the value of the Omani e-commerce market is expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate of 9.8 per cent from 2023 to 2027 to reach a market size of $3.27 billion.
