III International Consumer Protection Week in Samegrelo
As part of ongoing efforts to strengthen consumer protection mechanisms in Georgia, an informational and working meeting was held in Zugdidi with local consumers, organized by the Competition and Consumer Agency, the Georgian National Energy and Water Supply Regulatory Commission (GNERC), the Insurance State Supervision Service, the National Bank of Georgia, the Communications Commission and the National Food Agency.
The event was opened with speeches by Mamuka Tsotseria, Mayor of Zugdidi Municipality; Vladimir Bozhadze, Member of Parliament; Irakli Lekvinadze, Chairman of the Competition and Consumer Protection Agency; Davit Narmania, Chairman of GNERC; and David Onoprishvili, Head of the Insurance State Supervision Service.
As part of the 3rd International Consumer Protection Week, one of key priorities is ensuring the active engagement of people with disabilities, representatives of ethnic minorities and residents of the regions by providing them with equal access to consumer rights information.
During a panel discussion, six regulatory agencies responsible for consumer protection reviewed their achievements, challenges and enforcement mechanisms. The session was conducted in a Q&A format, where participants received detailed guidance on how to protect their rights, whom to contact in case of violations and the procedures involved.
As part of the week’s activities, consumer awareness meetings were held on March 10 in Tbilisi, March 12 in Akhalkalaki and March 14 in Zugdidi with the closing event scheduled for March 15 in Batumi. The goal of International Consumer Protection Week is to improve the state of consumer rights and awareness across the country.