Confident consumers essential to modern economy

Trade Minister Sir Reg Empey has launched the Consumer Strategy for Northern Ireland in an attempt to "drive up business performance" by better informing consumers.

The strategy was presented at the inaugural meeting of a new Consumer Councils’ Forum, made up of consumer groups, focused on strengthening and promoting consumer representation.

Speaking at the launch, Sir Reg said: "Well-informed consumers drive up business performance and competitiveness. It is therefore timely that this strategy has been launched so soon after DETI’s Corporate Plan, as being responsive to the consumer voice is an essential element in the development of a modern economy.

"The consumer strategy contains a number of important themes and action commitments. These will be taken forward by government over the coming months, with my own Department in the lead.

Highlighting the role of the Forum the Minister said: "This new forum is part of the joined-up working which will support Northern Ireland’s public in understanding the value of their consumer voice.

"The make-up of the Forum recognises that we deserve good service from not just the local supermarket, but from our public services, our key utility providers and our health service."

The Consumer Strategy is a commitment made by the Northern Ireland Executive in the Programme for Government.

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