In order to encourage ethical business practices and work towards achieving a $5-trillion economy by 2025-26 or the following year, on the back of 8-9 per cent sustained growth rate in real gross domestic product (GDP), which can be achieved by building a strong consumer protection and awareness initiative. Consumer protection assured quality and standards and empowers consumers to make an informed choice based on credible information and accessibility to an efficient and effective redress mechanism. It is paramount for industry and trade to share truthful information on the products and services to generate business based on trust between the various stakeholders. This enables them to make the best choices based on assured quality, safety and value for money. Indian Chamber of Commerce (ICC) in North East proposes to develop a road map for the next three years to declare North East Region of the Country as the Most Consumer Friendly Region in India.

The focus of the proposed roundtable will be to develop a road map for three years on building consumer awareness and protection on various essential services like Food safety and standards, accessibility to quality products and services in the insurance, financial and other sectors like e-Commerce, Direct Selling and others. Consumers have six Rights as enshrined under the Consumer Protection Act 2019 and also other Laws of the country to access safe and quality products. The roundtable will deliberate with all the stakeholders to finalize the blueprint on the way forward to promote business opportunities and create a consumer centric culture in the North East Region.

OBJECTIVES OF THE PROGRAM:

• To Build an Action Plan for the next 3 years in the North East Region on Consumer Awareness and Protection related activities with focus on Food Safety & Standards.
• To create a common platform for consumers to seek credible information and prompt redressal on complaints regarding sub-standard products and services and integrate the activities in North East Region of the country to build a robust partnership between the various stakeholders especially the common citizens on issues concerning accessibility, choice, awareness on quality, safety and standards.
• To identify and develop effective communication strategies to promote the objectives of the various regulatory authorities like the FSSAI, CCPA, IRDAI and others.
• To share the best practices followed by the Trade & Industry as a voluntary initiative and find solutions to the challenges in consultation with all the stakeholders.
• To prepare an updated status report on the redressal mechanisms existing in the North East States of the country and the implementation of the Consumer Protection Act 2019 and Rules thereof.