The Ministry of Commerce and Industry (MCI) has accused some chambers of commerce and industry of deliberately violating the ministry's regulations by overcharging companies on their annual membership fees. The ministry, in a circular sent to the violating chambers, said the fees should range between SR300 and SR10,000 for different categories of companies, Al-Eqtisadiah Arabic business daily reported Wednesday. The ministry said that certain chambers are collecting additional fees under other categories which constitute a flagrant violation of Article 12 of the ministry's regulations. The circular said companies in the excellent category are charged SR10,000. This includes first class money exchangers, financing companies, banks, limited liability companies, importers and contractors. Second-class subscribers are charged SR2,000; while those in the third class, which includes real estate offices, merchants and commercial agents, are charged SR300. The ministry has urged the chambers to strictly abide by the fixed fees.
