It is with great pleasure that I participate in the event for the "50 years of contribution and struggle" of the Cyprus Consumer Association, which is organized tonight on the occasion of the International Consumer Day, which is celebrated every year on March 15th. It is an excellent opportunity, I believe, to honour the members and partners of the Association, who started this effort 50 years ago, as well as all those who have continued and are still continuing the work they have undertaken.
As is well known, 15 March was established in 1983 by a decision of the United Nations as "World Consumer Day", in commemoration of a monumental speech delivered to Congress on 15 March 1962 by US President John F. Kennedy.
In that speech, which essentially laid the groundwork for the consumer movement, President Kennedy said that "the consumer is the only significant economic unit that is not effectively organized and whose views are not heard." Without a doubt, this statement alone demonstrates the important role that the Cyprus Consumers Association has played over the last 50 years in our country and our society, which through its long-standing action actively contributes to safeguarding the interests and rights of consumers.
Although I have only recently taken over as Minister of Energy, Trade and Industry, I am familiar with the work of the Association and have made sure that I am informed about its actions and the remarkable efforts it makes for the welfare and defence of consumer rights.
Particularly in recent years, the global economic crisis, initially followed by the pandemic and the war in Ukraine, have created conditions of economic instability and high inflationary trends, which have affected and continue to adversely affect consumers.
Our goal at the Ministry of Energy, Trade and Industry is to immediately take measures and initiatives that will reduce the negative economic impact and make a practical and effective contribution to mitigating the negative effects experienced by consumers and, in particular, vulnerable groups of the population.
In this context, our priority is to reduce the cost of electricity in order to reduce household expenses and the cost of running our businesses, creating the conditions for the production and We are also promoting the creation of a digital tool for recording and monitoring the prices of consumer products.
The ultimate objective of this new online platform is price transparency and, more generally, to enhance consumer information so that they can choose the cheapest basket of products according to their preferences.
In addition, households and businesses can benefit significantly from the Sponsorship Schemes and the actions we are implementing in the Ministry for the rapid transition to the green and circular economy.
Dear Friends,
I would like to take this opportunity to note that the Ministry of Energy, Trade and Industry will continue to actively support the Cyprus Consumers' Association, as well as other organised consumer groups, by paying an annual sponsorship, which amounts to a total of €68,000. We look forward to strengthening the close cooperation and coordination between us, through face-to-face meetings, the implementation of joint actions and, of course, the continuous participation of the Association as a member of the Consumer Advisory Committee.
In conclusion, I assure you that our Ministry will always support the efforts of the Cyprus Consumer Association in order to continue to effectively fulfil its role and mission to safeguard the rights of the Cypriot Consumer.
I wish you every success in the important work you are doing.
Thank you.
(GA)
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