The closing event of the III International Consumer Protection Week took place in Batumi. The event was organized by the Georgian Competition and Consumer Agency (GCCA) in collaboration with the Insurance State Supervision Service of Georgia, the National Bank of Georgia, the Communications Commission, the National Energy and Water Supply Regulatory Commission of Georgia, and the National Food Agency.
Irakli Lekvinadze, Chairman of the Georgian Competition and Consumer Agency (GCCA), delivered the opening speech, underscoring the importance of active consumer engagement, the agency's established standards, and the measures taken to enhance consumer protection mechanisms in Georgia.
"Within the framework of Georgia's first National Strategy for Consumer Rights Protection, supported by the Government of Georgia, all six regulatory bodies are committed to ensuring the equal and effective protection of both group and individual consumer interests at the national level. To achieve this objective, we have been implementing a range of significant initiatives, including the International Consumer Protection Week. This initiative fosters direct engagement with consumers in both Tbilisi and the regions, encouraging an active dialogue on achievements and challenges. Our goal is to ensure that every citizen’s rights are better protected and guaranteed in line with international best practices" -stated Irakli Lekvinadze.
During his address, he highlighted a significant increase in consumer engagement, noting that the number of consumer complaints in 2024 has doubled compared to 2023, with over 90% of cases resolved in favor of consumers. Furthermore, a key focus of this year’s International Consumer Protection Week is to empower persons with disabilities, representatives of ethnic minorities, and consumers residing in the regions by ensuring their active participation and equal access to information.
The event also featured addresses from Mayor of Batumi, Archil Chikovani; Jaba Putkaradze, Minister of Finance and Economy of Adjara; Vladimer Bozhadze, Member of the Parliament of Georgia; David Onoprishvili, Chairman of the Insurance State Supervision Service of Georgia and David Narmania, Chairman of GNERC.
From March 10 to 15, as part of Consumer Protection Week, a series of informational and working meetings were held in Tbilisi, Akhalkalaki, Zugdidi, and Batumi. These meetings gathered representatives of regulatory authorities, members of Parliament, central and regional government officials, as well as representatives from international organizations, the Georgian Union of the Deaf, the Georgian Union of the Blind, the business sector, academia, and non-governmental organizations.
During a panel discussion, representatives of the six regulatory bodies responsible for consumer rights protection engaged in a Q&A session with stakeholders. The discussion provided comprehensive insights into consumer rights protection, including how consumers can protect their rights, the appropriate channels to report violations, and the procedures for lodging complaints.
