Macao and Zhuhai Consumer Council use video-conference technology to simulate cross-border arbitration
To celebrate the 20th anniversary of the establishment of the Consumer Arbitration Centre, the Consumer Council publishes a ““Consumer Arbitration Centre 20th Anniversary Commemorative Publication”, cross-border arbitration between Macao and Zhuhai will also be launched on 15th March to solve tourists’ disputes more efficiently, and to enhance the image of Macao through comprehensive mechanism and services that safeguard consumer rights.
Reviews and expectations in the commemorative publication
The commemorative publication features the development of the Arbitration Centre since its establishment in 1998, including the major works and services of the previous years, number of mediation and arbitration cases, case samples, as well as the new measure of cross-border arbitration to be taken this year. The Consumer Council also launches a brochure on the services of the Arbitration Centre, the brochure is available in Chinese and Portuguese, and uses comics to explain the fairness, legal effectiveness, convenience and other advantages of the Centre. The brochure is free of charge and available at the Council’s offices, as well as the Government Information Centre at Vicky Plaza. It is also available online at the Council’s website (www.consumer.gov.mo).
Focus on cross-border arbitration this year
Developments in tourism encourage consumers’ activities, to enhance the shopping confidence of inbound tourists, a more comprehensive measure and services to safeguard consumer rights are needed. According to the dispatch by the Secretary for Economy and Finance published on 31st January in the Official Gazette, it rectifies the revision of the “Regulations of Consumer Arbitration Centre” to adopt the use of long-distance transmission technology, such as video conference, to facilitate cross-border mediation and hearing. The adoption of this measure will enhance the function and efficiency of the work of the Arbitration Centre, the Council will set up a mechanism for cross-border arbitration with consumer organizations in the Greater Bay Area in the future.
Cross-border arbitration to be launched mid of this month
The Consumer Council and Zhuhai Association for Consumers' Rights and Interests Protection discussed and carried out simulation on arbitration earlier to review the process, and decided to launch the cross-border arbitration service between Macao and Zhuhai on 15th March. Zhuhai will be the first city in the Greater Bay Area to carry out cross-border arbitration. In case Zhuhai residents lodge their complaints after making consumption in Macao and request to solve their disputes through the Arbitration Centre, they can choose to attend the arbitration process through cross-border arbitration.
Cross-border arbitration helps to lower the cost of tourists traveling to and fro Macao, making it easier for tourists to use the services of the Consumer Arbitration Centre, and enables the consumer rights of tourists to be better protected. This is believed to boost tourists’ confidence when shopping in Macao, thus helping the development of building Macao as the World Centreof Tourism andLeisure.
599 cases handled in 20 years
The Arbitration Centre handles cases with claims involved not exceedingMOP 50,000 and aims to protect the right to claim of consumers. Meanwhile, it offers another choice to both parties to solve their disputes other than a litigation. The Consumer Arbitration Centre is the first arbitration centre to specialize in dealing with consumer disputes, and a total number of 599 cases have been processed throughout the years. The Consumer Council will continue to invite consumer organizations in the Mainland and other countries with co-operative agreement to carry out cross-border arbitration.
