They said the existing laws are not enough to serve the interests of the consumers.

The roundtable was organised by The Consumers' Trust (TCT), a non-government organisation, at the National Press Club in the city.

The speakers said no government in the past had formulated any effective laws ensuring the rights of the consumers as the political government and the businessmen have a syndicate to victimise the common people.

More over the policy makers do not use local products and as such they do not bother about the quality of the products made in the country, they added.

The speakers called upon all people to work together to protect the consumers' rights.

They also urged the media to play an effective role in raising public awareness in this regard.

Md Imam Hossain, coordinator of the Trust, presented some recommendations for protecting the consumers' rights.

These included a special court to protect consumers' rights, control of misleading advertisements and compensation for the consumers.

Trust Chairperson Barrister Monzur Hossain presided over the roundtable which was addressed by Advocate Abu Zahed Mohammad, Dr Parvez Salman Chowdhury, Dr Asif Nazrul, Abdul Latif Mondol and Zahiduzzaman Farukh.

After the discussion, prizes were distributed among the winners of the essay competition organised by the TCT.