The Ministry of Commerce and Investment has defamed a citizen and an Expat of Bangladeshi Nationality after a judicial ruling condemning them of commercial concealment. It has been proved that citizen has been enabling the expatriate to practice commercial activity by using the citizen's commercial registration and working for his own account in the field of selling and maintenance of electronics and computers in Jubail.
The criminal court in Dammam issued a verdict including a fine of SR 400,000, closure of the Est., liquidation of the trade activity, cancellation of the license, writing- off CR, prevention of practicing the same trade activity, deporting the expat from the Kingdom after the execution of the sentence and not to be allowed to return for work, besides defamation by publishing the verdict in a local newspaper at the expense of the violators.
MCI has received a tip about a suspected commercial concealment at an Electronics and Computer Establishment. MCI inspectors carried out the necessary investigation and found evidences related to big transactions and remittances done by the labor. These transactions, with several institutions and with such big amounts, do not commensurate with the labor's monthly salary of SR 1000, and with his profession as a computer technician. In addition, the labor used to purchase and supply goods in term.
Accordingly, it has been proved that the owner of the establishment has been enabling the expat to engage in a commercial activity which he is not authorized to practice or invest in, and to work for his own account. So the case has been referred to the judicial authorities for taking the legal measures in accordance with the Anti-Commercial Concealment Law.
MCI calls on all citizens and residents in various regions of the Kingdom to report any cases of commercial concealment through the Ministry's Consumer Call Center (1900) or through the application of a Commercial Violation Report, or via the Ministry's website. Notably, MCI is granting a reward of up to 30% of the total sentenced fines after collection. The fine may reach one million riyals for each violator.
It is worth mentioning that the Royal Supreme Authority approved earlier this week 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.