Foreign Trade Minister urges consumers to know their rights

Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Trade, Foreign Investment, and Diaspora Affairs Fitzgerarald Bramble, on Consumer Rights Day, announced that a robust national consumer public education and awareness programme would soon be implemented. In a statement on Sunday, March 15, 2026 to mark World Consumer Rights Day, he pointed to the issue of conducting business in an environment that is filled with challenges.

“We must collectively minimize and address through updated legislations, regulations, and more robust policies that safeguard consumer welfare and interest,” Bramble stated.

Nevertheless, he noted that the law is only “as strong as the people’s understanding of it’’ and, “to help bridge the gap between the law on the books and life on the ground, the department of consumer affairs will be soon rolling out a robust consumer public education and awareness programme that will focus on information sharing, empowerment and building confidence”.

Speaking under the global theme for the day: “Safe Products, Confident Consumers”, Bramble noted that “World Consumer Rights Day is an annual observation dedicated to highlighting the power of consumers and their rights for a fair, safe, and sustainable market place for everyone”.The minister stated that the day continues the legacy of advocating for consumer rights in both physical and digital market places, adding that it also serves as a platform for uniting consumers to demand accountability and ethical practices in markets.

“As the minister I speak to you not as being removed from the, but rather as someone in tune with the issues.”

The minister spoke too about visiting the supermarkets and shops in communities from as far as “Fancy in the North to Union Island in the South”, and, he urged Vincentians to be vigilant against the entry of substandard goods entering the small local market.

“For too long, some have viewed the Caribbean as a place to offload seconds or near expiry items,” he said, “this is among the many reasons why the Consumer Protection Act #12 of 2020 was enacted.” Minister Bramble pointed out that the Act is not just a piece of paper but a shield for every citizen. The Act mandates for the promotion and safeguarding of consumer interest pertaining to the supply of goods and services to ensure protection of life, health and safety of consumers. It is also a broad and encompassing piece of legislation which sets out a framework that is consolidated in one place, he added. The Minister of Foreign Trade also pointed out that the Act establishes the duties and obligations of suppliers, and administrative and legal frameworks for the identification of violations involving the supply of goods or services.

He said that a week of activities will be held to mark World Consumer Rights Day, and that other activities are scheduled for the remainder of the year.

“I would like to encourage and urge all consumers to get to know their consumer rights and responsibilities.”