BY BANELE MAGONGO
MBABANE – Minister of Commerce, Industry and Trade Mancoba Khumalo has urged businesses in Eswatini to prioritise consumer rights, as doing so would lead to increased sales, clientele, and credibility.
He said this during the launch of the Tinkhundla Consumer Awareness Campaign today at Hilton Garden Inn, Mbabane.
The minister encouraged these businesses to consider the information to be shared by the regulators, as it could lead to improved business practices and a positive reputation. Ultimately, businesses that respected consumer rights would benefit from increased sales and a larger client base.
The Minister announced that the policy and legislative framework regulating competition and consumer issues in the Kingdom of Eswatini was currently under review.
Khumalo said Government was committed to developing a comprehensive policy framework and effective legislation to improve the ease of doing business and promote consumer welfare and protection. The new framework was expected to address the challenges and gaps that exist within the current framework, according to the Minister.
The legislative review is intended to align the Kingdom’s Competition and Consumer Policy framework with the latest developments in regional organisations such a Southern African Development Community (SADC), the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA) and the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
In addition, the improved legal framework will make provisions to safeguard consumers who transact in the digital marketplace and in the realm of artificial intelligence, to minimise the risks faced by consumers.
This is part of the government’s efforts to create a conducive environment for businesses and consumers in the Kingdom.
The minister stated that businesses in rural areas were being provided with consumer awareness sessions to improve their services and gain a competitive edge by being responsive to the needs and welfare of their consumers.
