For decades, the Saudi Consumer Protection Society remained something unheard of when it came to its original job description: Protecting consumers from rogue traders. But now, things seem to have changed. The Consumer Protection Society (CPS) is preparing to establish a hotline center to receive complaints of counterfeiting, said Muhammad Al-Hamad, director of the society. “Counterfeiting has lately been of a serious concern for the majority of people who fail to tell an original product from a fake one,” he said. With a comprehensive strategic plan to curb counterfeiting and piracy, the CPS wants to send a clear message to counterfeiters in the Kingdom that they are watched, he said. The CPS took part in the First Arab Consumer and Brand Protection Forum, which concluded its sessions in Jeddah on Tuesday. With the help of Saudi Customs and Chamber of Commerce and Industry across the nation, Al-Hamad said “We have come to protect the public and businesses from associated dangers of counterfeit products.” Supported by a government allocation of SR15 million, a campaign blitz will take off soon to educate the public on the threat of counterfeiting and piracy, he said. Consumer Protection Society receives full support from the Ministry of Finance, he said, referring to an earlier meeting with Minister of Finance Ibrahim Al-Assaf. A legal department will be set up to take up cases of counterfeiting, he said. The public will soon be able to file complaints and suggestions online, he said. The counterfeiting economy in the Kingdom is estimated at $4 billion. – Okaz __
