RIYADH — Minister of Commerce Majed Al-Qasabi called on those working in the electrical appliances sector to have toll-free numbers to address complaints of consumers. He also highlighted the significance of protecting consumer rights and improving services provided to consumers by the private sector. The minister made the remarks while addressing a meeting of top officials representing agents and distributors of electrical appliances in the Kingdom at the ministry headquarters here on Thursday. Deputy Minister of Commerce Dr. Iman Bint Habbas Al-Mutairi, Assistant Minister of Commerce Badr Al-Haddad and Deputy Minister for Consumer Protection Eng. Omar Al-Suhaibani were also present.Al-Qasabi stressed the importance of further improving and promoting after-sales services, allocating toll-free numbers to receive consumer complaints, and expanding service and maintenance centers in all regions and governorates of the Kingdom. The minister underscored the importance of improving the services provided to customers as well as developing after-sales services, setting performance indicators according to the best international standards and their monitoring, besides reviewing and developing the legislative and procedural aspects related to the sector. The meeting reviewed a number of topics of interest to consumers in the electrical appliances sector through three main areas: after the sale services, represented by the availability of devices, shipping, delivery and installation; maintenance and warranty and poor coverage in some cities and governorates; and the price related matters. Al-Qasabi directed the officials to create work teams consisting of representatives of the sector to list all challenges and solutions to develop and upgrade services while emphasizing that the consumer is first, and care must be taken to provide services to him with the necessary quality and speed. "Obligations toward the consumer must be fulfilled without delay or shortcoming. The ministry is working, in partnership with commercial establishments, to help them develop their services, provide a stimulating environment for them, and overcome all the difficulties and challenges they face,” the minister added while pointing out that the ministry in the past received a number of complaints from consumers. It is noteworthy that the meeting comes two weeks after a similar meeting was held with the CEOs of car dealerships in the Kingdom. That meeting emphasized the importance of addressing the shortcomings in all aspects of service related to consumer rights.