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Fake goods trade faces the music in Abu Dhabi

abu dhabi - Businesses involved in commercial fraud will face heavy fines or closure

Abu Dhabi will impose heavy fines on businesses that are involved in commercial fraud by selling fake products. In more serious cases, it could even result in the closure of such business.

The Abu Dhabi Department of Economic Development (Added) will introduce a number of measures and penalties based on law No (2) of 2009 on the establishment of Added and Resolution No 25 on the regulation of economic activities and licence issuance.

"These authorise the Added to impose penalties that can even reach the closure of any establishment that is involved in commercial fraud," said Mohammed Munif Al Mansouri, acting executive director of Abu Dhabi Business Centre.

He was commenting on the joint raids carried out by the Added in cooperation with the municipalities of Abu Dhabi, Al Ain and the Western Region, Abu Dhabi Police, the Food Control Authority, Abu Dhabi Quality and Conformity Council and the Waste Management Centre.

The Added destroyed 165,000 counterfeit and fake items seized during raids in recent months. The destroyed goods included clothes, shoes, accessories, cosmetics and haircare products, electronics, telephone and mobile phones, tobacco, food products, auto parts accessories, intellectual property works, sanitary items, building materials, medicines, games and gifts.

The Added has contributed to the UAE Red Crescent's charity project 'Preserving the Blessing' by donating 10,173 pieces of clothes and shoes, 102 grams of gold and Dh129,960 earned from recycling some of the seized goods.

Al Mansouri said his department is committed to continue its efforts to combat trading in counterfeit and fraudulent goods and to confiscate them across the emirate of Abu Dhabi through raids.

Al Mansouri commended the efforts of government stakeholders who took part in these raids along with Added inspectors in Abu Dhabi, Al Ain and the Western Region.

The raids have revealed several malpractices and techniques followed by storekeepers.

He said these raids come as part of an annual plan carried out this year by the Added to combat commercial fraud in the emirate of Abu Dhabi. He stressed the commitment of the Added to protect commercial activities across all sectors, especially those that are directly involved with consumers.

He called on consumers and trademark owners in the emirate of Abu Dhabi to contact the Added on the toll-free number (800555) to report any outlets or persons carrying out commercial fraud.

- haseeb@khaleejtimes.com