Prince Khalid Al-Faisal graces opening of Arab Consumers Forum

Jeddah, Oct 20, SPA -- Prince Khalid Al-Faisal, the Governor of
Makkah Region, patronized here on Sunday evening the activities of
the First Arab Forum for the protection of consumers from commercial
fraud and products' imitation.


The Forum was organized by the Administration of Customs and
international Himaya Company in cooperation with the Arab League and
the Islamic Chamber of Commerce and Industry. More than 1000
delegates are attending the Forum's deliberations.


Speaking on the occasion, Ahmad al-Hamdan, the chairman of the board
of directors of international Himaya Company, said the Forum is the
First Arab forum which takes care of the consumers and reviews means
of combating commercial fraud.


He noted that the adverse impact of commercial fraud on the world
economy was estimated to be more than $780 billion annually, $50
billion for the Arab countries, $13 billion for the Gulf States and
$5 billion for the Saudi market.


Al-Hamdan pointed out that confrontation of this phenomenon requires
cooperation between the governmental and non-governmental sectors.


On his part, Dr Ibrahim al-Assaf, the Finance Minister, said the
Forum represents a model for joint works between the public and
private sectors and the international organizations for fighting
commercial fraud, products' imitation and protection of intellectual
property.


Dr al-Assaf noted that such an international phenomena constituted a
real danger for all societies and generated a negative phenomenon
accompanying globalization and economic openness as well as
liberalization of trade exchange among all countries. "These also
constitute an impediment for economic development."


Dr al-Assaf said most of the imitated products have a direct link to
the health of the consumers such as foodstuffs, electrical devices,
spare parts and tires.


"The consumer has become a victim of these practices which
contravene with religion, morals and international conventions."


Dr al-Assaf said the Saudi Customs administration has been giving
utmost attention to the phenomenon of commercial fraud and imitation
as well as to violation of the rights of intellectual property.


Director General of the Saudi Arabian Standards Organization (SASO)
Nabil al-Mullah said commercial fraud has an adverse impact on the
national economy, and called for cooperation for ending this
dangerous phenomenon.


He noted that the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has signed three
agreements within this framework and it is on its way for endorsing a
fourth agreement.


On his part, Prince Khalid al-Faisal underlined the importance of
setting the suitable strategies for the protection of the consumers
and enhancing the rights of the intellectual property.


He noted that such a meeting provides a good opportunity to exchange
views on the international experiences which have been successfully
confronting the phenomena of commercial fraud, imitation and monopoly
as well as endangering the interests of the consumers and the rights
of the intellectual property.


"Such a phenomenon has an adverse impact on the national and
international investments, " he said.


Prince Khalid said the Kingdom has realized the danger of this
phenomenon and established a society for the protection of the
consumers.


Moreover, he said the Kingdom has organized awareness campaigns to
protect the citizens from being exploited.


Prince Khalid praised the role played by the Saudi Customs
Administration and international Himaya Company for the organization
of this Forum in cooperation with the Arab league and the Islamic
Chamber of Commerce and Industry.


--SPA