Bilingual invoices launched in Dubai
Two leading retailers join Economic Development Department initiative to improve services
Encouraging the use of the Arabic language in all segments of the public sphere, the Department of Economic Development Dubai ( DED) has launched an ‘ Arabic Invoice’ initiative with two leading retailers.
Retail and business invoices in Dubai are printed predominantly in English and the initiative encourages firms to have bilingual invoices – in English and Arabic.
Al Tayer Group and M. H. Alshaya Co have become the first two major firms to join the DED campaign that will see invoices at all their outlets in Arabic as well as in English.
The initiative was jointly launched yesterday at the Armani Hotel, Burj Khalifa.
With immediate effect, every receipt issued by Alshaya across more than 300 of its stores, restaurants and cafes will be printed in Arabic as well as English and will also carry details of the DED’s Consumer Rights helpline number and web address.
Five of the Al Tayer Group’s stores are live as of today, and by the end of this year all 90 retail stores operated by the group will issue bilingual receipts. The same will apply across the UAE by mid- January 2015.
“As one of the leading retail companies in the UAE, we are proud to partner with the DED on the launch of this important initiative.
“A significant proportion of our customer base speaks Arabic and this is an essential development towards addressing their needs and delivering the highest level of customer service,” said Rania Shamas, General Manager – Retail Operations, Al Tayer Group.
‘ Protect consumer rights’
Sami Al Qamzi, Director-General of DED, said: “Dubai is now one of the world’s leading retail destinations and the DED has worked hard to establish a strong reputation for protecting consumer rights. Working with Alshaya and Al Tayer to publicise the ‘ Be Right – Know Your Consumer Rights’ initiative through their till receipts will greatly support our awareness- building objectives.”
Currently, the practice of printing bilingual invoices will be optional for retailers as well as wholesalers, but according to Omar Bu Shahab, CEO of DED’s Commercial Compliance and Consumer Protection Section, the idea is to encourage more firms to adopt the new practice.