Representatives of the Georgian Competition and Consumer Agency (GCCA) held information and education sessions at Rustavi Public School N28 and at the public school in the village of Iormughanlo, Sagarejo Municipality. The sessions were organised by the Agency’s Training Research Centre.
The session in Iormughanlo was of particular importance, as it offered an opportunity to share information on competition and consumer protection with young people from ethnic minority communities and to raise their awareness of these issues. Nutsa Putkaradze, Chief Specialist at the GCCA Consumer Rights Protection Department, explained why fair competition is essential for ensuring quality products and services, innovation and affordable prices for consumers. She also discussed examples of infringements of competition law, such as price fixing and abuse of a dominant position.
On consumer rights, the discussion covered the obligations of traders, the rules on online shopping, the right to return goods within 14 days without conditions, and guarantee terms.
The Agency’s representatives also presented the work of the GCCA and the online tools that help consumers protect their rights and make informed choices in everyday life. Eto Shagulashvili, Senior Project Manager at the Training Research Centre, introduced the Agency’s educational web portal, the online competition dictionary, and the ekalata.gov.ge price comparison portal.
The sessions in public schools form part of the cooperation under the Memorandum of Understanding between the GCCA and the Ministry of Education, Science and Youth of Georgia. The cooperation aims to raise young people’s awareness of competition and consumer protection and to widen access to relevant knowledge. In addition to Tbilisi, sessions will be held in Kakheti, Kvemo Kartli, Shida Kartli, Samtskhe-Javakheti and Samegrelo-Zemo Svaneti.
