• A revision of ‘Regulations of the Consumer Arbitration Centre’ will strengthen consumers’ confidence in Macao
  • The Consumer Council received 574 complaints last year, six of which were referred to the Consumer Arbitration Centre for follow-up (Photo courtesy of Consumer Council)

Consumer Arbitration Centre Assumes Additional Roles

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In order to strengthen consumer confidence in Macao and minimize factors such as cost, time and geography affecting visitors' willingness to embark upon arbitration, the Secretary for Economy and Finance of the Macao SAR Government published in the Official Gazette in January revised section 2, Article 11 of the 'Regulations of the Consumer Arbitration Centre'. The revision will now enable the use of long-distance transmission technology such as video conferencing to facilitate cross-border mediation and hearings.

The Consumer Council records having received 574 complaints from tourists in 2017, six of which were referred to the Consumer Arbitration Centre for processing. The Council believes that the revision will better protect consumers thereby boosting their confidence and attracting more tourists to use the Centre's services.

In order to match the development of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Bay Area and the trend of consumption in other regions, the Council is planning to work with consumer organizations in the Bay Area to implement cross-border arbitration first before extending to other provinces and cities that have signed mutual agreements with the Council.