Abdullah Al-Jameeli Al-Madinah The Ministry of Commerce is continuing its inspection campaigns against electrical shops to check for counterfeit goods. A local newspaper said more than 900,000 fake pieces were found in Dammam and Al-Ahsa alone last week. Of them, 200,000 pieces were retrieved from a warehouse that was devastated by a fire. Some expatriates repaired, repacked and sold them as if they were new. No doubt that the ministry's efforts were appreciated but the quantity of the counterfeit electric appliances was huge, especially as they were discovered in two cities only. Our markets are replete with fake goods, materials and toys, which are time bombs that may explode in the faces of consumers any time. It is true that there are attempts to curb the influx of counterfeit goods. A Saudi delegation was in China recently to discuss with concerned officials in that country the ways and means of curbing the entry of counterfeit goods into the Kingdom. These attempts are, however, too weak to stop the entry of fake goods into the market. This raises the question of how these goods were able to enter through the Kingdoms inlets, particularly as they did not meet the specifications and standards. Who was responsible for this? Why were they not held responsible and punished? Are they above the law? The ministry and the concerned authorities should spare the money they spend on the inspection tours and on sending delegations abroad. Instead they should intensify the border watch and strictly monitor the air, land and sea inlets. People who help in the entry of counterfeit goods should be penalized and defamed.
