The Commercial Compliance and Consumer Protection Division at the Department of Economic Development (DED) has launched a new advanced portable device – “Meydani” – to improve the efficiency of trade control and inspection processes conducted at stores. The new device is part of DED’s strategy to contribute to facilitating Dubai’s growth by providing faster and more efficient services to the public.
“DED is committed to offering better services to the public through varied initiatives and solutions and providing a competitive environment that supports investment and business growth in Dubai and the UAE. Meydani is a first-of-its-kind initiative in the region and has tremendous features including a 3G interface,” said Omar Bushahab, Chief Executive Officer of the Commercial Compliance and Consumer Protection Division.
He added: “The new device will facilitate field work for our inspectors and help them issue instant fines and transfer information to the database of Commercial Compliance and Consumer Protection Division electronically. The savings in terms of time will be 70 % and productivity will increase by about 30%. Many transactions can be completed within the shortest possible time.”
“The Commercial Compliance and Consumer Protection Division and the Information Technology department at DED worked together to develop Meydani, integrating the electronic fine system and determining the geographical locations of stores using advanced navigation techniques. We have already recorded the locations of 70% of the stores in Dubai and expect to complete the process by 2012. The new device is capable of issuing at least 60 fines per day,” Bushahab said.
The multi-user equipment is equipped with cameras that inspector can use to shoot the location and type of the fine issued. It enables the inspector to browse internet, check e-mails and respond to them, and use the device as a mobile phone too.
“The Commercial Compliance and Consumer Protection Division will work on integrating various other features to Meydani during the coming period, including a monitoring system to determine the areas covered by the inspector, as well as provisions to issue appropriate instructions and enable inspections by barcode,” commented Bushahab.
Meydani will support the strategy of the Commercial Compliance and Consumer Protection Division’s 2010 strategy to protect traders and consumers and combat fraud. The Division has also launched various other initiatives and programmes that have positively reflected on consumer protection.
