Luanda – The Angolan Commerce minister, Maria Idalina Valente, Friday in Luanda, announced that the Government is working on the approval of the Competition Law, with a view to securing a better consumer/supplier relation and protecting purchasing power.

The minister was speaking at the closing of the seminar on “Consumer Constitutional protection” designed for journalists, sponsored by the National Institute of Consumer Protection (INADEC).

According to Idalina Valente, once approved, the Competition Law, in combination with the Consumer Protection Law will be in a position to secure a better consumer/supplier relation, and avoid speculation in trade and poor service.

 
 
The official stressed that the main INADEC challenges are to publicise the consumer’s rights and duties, create conditions to secure the exercise of those rights and prevent and control actions damaging the interests of consumers.

 
 
The minister mentioned the creation of consumer conflict arbitration centres and contribution of media organs in publicising concerned matters as urgent requirements to secure the exercise of consumer’s rights.

 
“To this effect, we are more and more counting on the contribution of media organs, today more capable or enlightened, in order for our work to be the guarantor of social stability”, she said, adding that INADEC’s motto is to inform and educate.

 
She appealed to the various sectors of the society to come together in the protection of consumers.

The seminar was intended to educate, train and inform the consumers, and upgrade journalists on the issue. The meeting tackled such topics as consumer’s constitutional protection, the supplier’s responsibility and the role of the media in publicising the consumer rights.