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Malawi to Host African Consumer Protection Dialogue(AllAfrica Via Acquire Media NewsEdge) Malawi is set to host an African Consumer Protection Dialogue according to the Executive Director of the Competition and Fair Trading Commission (CFTC) Wezie Malonda. Briefing members of the press in Lilongwe on Monday, Malonda said the CFTC will host the 6th Annual Conference of the African Consumer Protection Dialogue from the 8th to 10th September, 2014 in the country's Capital City. Said Malonda; "The African Dialogue is an international network of consumer protection agencies in Africa and United States. "The dialogue will be held under the theme 'Strengthening the framework for dealing with cross border consumer violation." According to the Executive Director, CFTC as a young competition authority, believes that Malawi stands to gain a lot from hosting this high profile gathering. "This is a clear opportunity for the commission to showcase the outstanding work that we are doing in consumer protection to a wider local and international audience. "Additionally, the Pan- African conference will also provide a unique platform for training and capacity building for our officers as well as other officials of other local statutory agencies working in the area of consumer protection," she said. She added that, the exposure gained during the conference will be used to benchmark their work, and the work of their local partners, in the enforcement of the Competition and Fair Trading Act and the Consumer Protection Act. Above all, she said it will give Malawi the opportunity to establish decisive linkages with other African countries in jointly tackling incidences of cross boarder violation of consumer rights. Common topics on consumer protection in Malawi that the dialogue will also discuss on include, display of disclaimers, misleading adverts, misleading conduct, display of prices, counterfeit products, unfair contractual terms, among others. The African Dialogue which is an international network was established in 2009 with a view to provide an opportunity to African governments, civil society organisations and the United States government to interface with each other and share best practices on the enforcement of consumer protection laws. Copyright Malawi News Agency. Distributed by AllAfrica Global Media (allAfrica.com). |