Egypt ranked 21st worldwide on the Nielsen Global Consumer Confidence Index for the third quarter of 2010, according to Nielsen International Research.

Egypt received a score of 98 points, surpassing the international average of 90 points. Gaining an extra three points compared to the second quarter of 2010, Egypt ranked third after Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates among Middle Eastern countries.

Saeed al-Alfi, head of the Consumer Protection Agency, said the Egyptian score reflects raised awareness of consumer rights in the country. Moreover, some policies that violate the rights of consumers have been abolished, he added, citing the scrapped motto “Goods sold can neither be returned nor exchanged."

India registered the highest score of 129. Consumer confidence jumped in Australia, where consumers were the second-most optimistic after India. Indonesia and Saudi Arabia also ranked second globally.

The Nielsen Global Consumer Confidence Index tracks consumer confidence, major concerns and spending habits among more than 30,500 Internet users in 54 countries.

Arabic Edition