Finance, Economy and Investment Minister Tonio Fenech addressed a conference organised by the European Commission dedicated to the introduction of the Unfair Commercial Practices Directive.

He said that in implementing the directive in line with the European Union, the government of Malta was further committing itself to uphold and strengthen consumer rights, to facilitate cross-border trade and to assist the business community in its support of fair trading practices.

The Directive provides consumers with the same protection against unfair practices and unscrupulous traders, whether the business transaction is concluded at local or cross-border level; and businesses with the innovative facility to advertise and market to all the 480 million consumers in the European Union.

Mr Fenech explained that over the next few weeks, the government will be working on the strengthening of the two essential arms that will provide additional guarantees towards the achievement of this balance: one geared towards consumer protection and the other responsible to ensure a truly competitive market. The Unfair Commercial Practices Directive was incorporated into Maltese legislation last December.

Giuseppe Abbamonte, an EU expert, briefed Maltese businesses, importers, distributors, retailers and other stakeholders on this new legislation. He analysed the impact of the new legislation on local commercial organisations, businesses and any entities involved in the promotion and sale of goods to consumers.