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Observer
2 days ago
- Business
- Observer
Khareef Dhofar: CPA conducting field inspections to curb deceptive practices
SALALAH: The Consumer Protection Authority (CPA) in Dhofar Governorate is intensifying its efforts through a comprehensive field awareness campaign titled 'Your Trust, Our Goal,' coinciding with the Khareef Dhofar tourism season (monsoon season). Dr Taea bin Salim al Junaibi, Acting Director-General of Consumer Protection in Dhofar Governorate, stated that the authority is conducting rigorous field inspections to ensure suppliers and vendors comply with regulations, curbing any deceptive commercial practices targeting visitors or residents during the Khareef season. Efforts include strengthening direct communication channels with consumers to efficiently handle reports and complaints. The campaign, to be launched this month, will feature diverse field activities across the governorate, including commercial complexes, tourist sites, community institutions and the CPA office in Ateen, which will welcome visitors from July through late September. Targeting a wide audience — particularly tourists, families and children — the initiative will employ interactive booths, workshops, visual displays and modern technological tools such as virtual reality (VR) glasses, interactive screens and educational tablets. Children will engage with the 'Little Consumer" app, colouring activities, and interactive programmes to instil awareness of consumer rights and responsible consumption, alongside entertainment segments at open-air events. A mobile exhibition of prohibited and non-compliant goods will showcase real samples to educate consumers on product safety and risks. Smart kiosks will also be installed at Salalah Airport and the Hareet border crossing, featuring QR codes for direct access to campaign information and the CPA's e-services, while awareness billboards will be displayed in public streets and major markets. Additionally, the CPA will organise its second Consumer Protection Forum, titled 'Pillars and Rights of Tourists and Residents," to address consumer protection issues during khareef season, focusing on tourists and expatriates as key participants in Dhofar's commercial and tourism activities. Al Junaibi noted that inspection visits to Dhofar's markets in the first half of 2025 reached 19,582, with 14,317 visits to institutions. The directorate received 555 complaints (97% resolved) and 214 reports (99% resolved) during the same period. The CPA emphasises collaboration with relevant government and private entities through coordinated efforts, role-sharing and logistical support to ensure a successful tourism season and deliver a seamless, positive experience for visitors and residents alike. — ONA
Observer
2 days ago
- Business
- Observer
CPA rolls out major awareness drive for Khareef Dhofar
The Consumer Protection Authority (CPA) in Dhofar Governorate has intensified its efforts with the launch of a wide-ranging field awareness campaign under the slogan 'Your Trust is Our Goal'. The campaign coincides with the 2025 Khareef tourism season and supports the broader strategy unveiled by the Office of the Governor of Dhofar in line with Oman Vision 2040. Dr Ta'e bin Salim al Juneibi, Acting DGof the CPA in Dhofar, said the Authority is implementing intensified field campaigns to ensure that suppliers and providers comply with relevant regulations and laws. He noted that these efforts aim to curb any misleading commercial practices that may target residents or visitors during the Khareef season by enhancing direct communication channels for receiving consumer complaints and inquiries and responding to them efficiently. Launching this July, the campaign will include field activities at various locations across the governorate, such as shopping centres, tourist destinations, community institutions, and the CPA office in Ateen. Running through to the end of September, the initiative seeks to reach a wide demographic with a focus on tourists, families, and children. Awareness will be delivered through interactive booths, workshops, and visual presentations. The Authority will also utilise modern digital tools to enrich its outreach, including virtual reality (VR) headsets, interactive screens, and educational tablets designed to teach children about the 'Young Consumer' app. Additional child-friendly tools include colourable illustrations and engaging activities aimed at instilling concepts of responsible consumption and consumer rights. Outdoor events will also feature entertainment segments to enhance public engagement. A mobile exhibition of banned and non-compliant goods will accompany the campaign, displaying real-life examples to highlight potential risks and educate consumers on how to verify product safety. Smart information kiosks equipped with QR codes will be installed at Salalah Airport and the Hafeet border checkpoint, offering quick access to campaign details and the CPA's e-services. Awareness billboards will also be placed in public streets and major markets. In addition, the Authority will host the second Consumer Protection Forum under the theme 'Principles and Rights of Tourists and Residents'. The event will focus on consumer protection issues during the Khareef season, targeting tourists and residents as key segments within the governorate's economic and tourism landscape. Dr al Juneibi reported that inspection visits conducted across Dhofar's markets during the first half of 2025 totalled 19,582, while 14,317 visits covered business institutions. The directorate received 555 consumer complaints during the same period, achieving a 97% resolution rate, and handled 214 reports with a 99% resolution rate. ٢٠٢٥٠٧٠٦_١٢٠٨٥١
