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Saudi Arabia to Participate in First Arab Consumer and Brand Protection Forum

JEDDAH — Saudi Arabia is joining the global fight against commercial fraud with participation in the First Arab Consumer and Brand Protection Forum, according to Ahmed Al Hamdan, Chairman of Hemaya Universal.

Al Hamdan told a Press conference here on Saturday that the three-day event will be inaugurated by Makkah Governor Prince Khalid Al Faisal bin Abdul Aziz, here on Sunday, in the presence of such dignitaries as Amr Moussa, secretary general of the Arab League, Dr. Ibrahim bin Abdulaziz Al Assaf, Saudi minister of finance, Abdullah Zainal, minister of trade, Iyad Madani, minister of culture and information, and Saleh Al Khilawi, director-general of Saudi Customs.

The Press conference was also attended by Dr. Ahmed S. Al Zubeidi, CEO of Hemaya Universal. The Forum, the first of its kind in the Arab region, is being organised by Saudi Customs and Hemaya Universal in cooperation with the Arab League and the Islamic Chamber of Commerce and Industry. “The Forum, whose patron is Prince Khalid Al Faisal, is an extension of the Saudi government’s efforts to protect consumers by combating commercial fraud and counterfeiting through legislation and regulations that help minimise the spread of fake and adulterated products, and activate laws and regulations to protect intellectual property rights, ” explained Al Khilawi . He said that with a total of 12 workshop sessions, it will offer a platform for the public and private sectors concerned to exchange experiences and information, and try to raise consumer awareness and unite efforts against the scourge of commercial fraud.

Al Khilawi said that the emphasis will be on reviewing and updating the relevant regulations and laws for their effective application. The Forum’s effort will be to create channels of communication with government agencies so as to streamline the flow of ac curate information about dealers of counterfeit and fake products. The objectives also include activating the activities of consumer protection groups, drawing up appropriate mechanisms to reduce the spread of counterfeiting and piracy, and benefiting from the experiences of developed countries in this regard.

“It’s a unique opportunity for all the parties and experts concerned to discuss and unify visions for the formulation of effective strategies to fight commercial fraud and counterfeiting in the Arab world,” he stressed.

Al Hamdan said that more than 40 speakers and 400 experts will join in crucial fight against commercial fraud. Participants in the Forum include World Customs Organisation, Intellectual Property Protection Unit at the European Union, the US Office for the Protection of Intellectual Property Rights and Patent, Gulf Standardisation Organisation.