The Ministry of Commerce and Investment has defamed a citizen and an expat of Syrian Nationality, following a judicial ruling condemning them for commercial concealment. It has been proved that the citizen has been enabling the expat to practice commercial activity by using the citizen's commercial registration and working for his own account in the field of advertisement in Riyadh.
The sentence issued by the Criminal Court in Riyadh included imposing a fine on the violators, the closure of the facility, the liquidation of the trade activity, the cancellation of the license, as well as writing off the commercial registration, besides deporting the expat from the Kingdom after the execution of the sentence, and not to be allowed to return for work, also defamation by publishing the verdict in a local newspaper at the expense of violators.
In details, MCI receives a tip about a suspected case of commercial concealment at an advertisement Est. providing the services of printing press, including personal cards, invoices and other printing materials, through its three branches in Riyadh. Evidences and documents have been seized showing large volume of financial transactions with companies and individuals done by the expat, besides providing raw materials for the printing press, such as paper and ink, also payment of labor fees and salaries, as well as cooperating with sales representatives and clients, such as STC and Cement Co..
Accordingly, it has been proved that the citizen has been enabling the expat to engage in an activity he is not authorized or allowed to practice or invest in it, and to work for his own account. Therefore, the case was referred to the concerned judicial authorities for taking the legal measures according to Anti-Commercial Concealment Law.
The Ministry of Commerce and Investment calls on all citizens and residents in all regions of the Kingdom to report 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 an award of up to 30% of the total sentenced fines after collection. The fine may reach one million riyals against 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.