The Ministry of Commerce and Investment has rewarded a citizen of SR 30,000, which represents 30% of the fine imposed by the judicial authority, for informing about a crime of commercial concealment, relevant to an Est. engaged in manufacturing aluminum kitchens in Taif.
The citizen had agreed with the said Est. to carry out some works for him, but he suspected the regularity of such Est. So he informed MCI Consumer Call Center (1900). Accordingly, MCI inspectors carried out the necessary investigation and they proved the crime of commercial concealment, then the case was referred to the Public Prosecution, and then to the judicial authority, and a verdict was issued thereof.
The administrative court in Makkah issued a judicial ruling condemning a citizen and an Egyptian expat. They were found guilty of violating the Anti-Commercial Concealment Law. They had been fined of SR 100,000, in addition to the following penalties: closure of the Est., liquidation the trade activity, writing off the commercial registration, prohibition of practicing the same trade activity, deporting the expat from the Kingdom, and not to be allowed to return for work.
The Ministry of Commerce and Investment is endeavoring to control and eradicate any violations related to Commercial Cover-up, by imposing the legal penalties that may reach to two-year imprisonment, a fine of 1 million riyals for each offender, deporting the non-Saudis from the Kingdom, defaming the names of violators in the local newspapers at their own expense, also writing off the C.R. and suspending and preventing the defendant from practicing the same trade activity.
MCI urges the consumers to report any cases of commercial concealment, if the evidence is found, through MCI Consumer Call Center (1900), or through the application of a Commercial Violation Report, or via the Ministry's website. Notably, MCI grants an award up to 30% of the value of the sentenced fines to the informer, after collection.
The Ministry aims to combat the phenomenon of commercial concealment and to create a regular commercial environment, free from irregularities, and to enable the citizens to practice business safely.
It is worth mentioning that the Royal Supreme Authority approved earlier to implement the recommendations of the National Program for Combating the Commercial Concealment, which involves ten government agencies. This program aims to address and combat commercial concealment in all sectors, besides developing relevant regulations and legislations, also stimulating e-commerce and using technical solutions. This program aims as well at regulating and organizing the financial transactions to eliminate transferring of money abroad, as well as enhancing development in the private sector, also creating attractive jobs for Saudis and encouraging them to invest in various trade activities, more over finding solutions to the problem of illegal ownership of foreigners in the private sector.