13 March 2017

Officials in Dubai and Saudi Arabia ordered the shutting down of thousands of social network accounts which were being used to sell fake goods, as authorities continue their battle against the illegal trade, local newspapers reported on Sunday.

Dubai’s Department of Economic Development (DED) ordered the closure of 8,894 social network accounts it said were used to sell the knock-off items online, in a move designed to protect brands and eliminate practices that could harm the growing e-commerce sector in the emirate, The Saudi Gazette newspaper reported.

“Social networking accounts have come in handy for many who trade in counterfeit goods nowadays but the Electronic Compliance section maintain tight vigil to prevent such misuse of modern technology and protect the reputation of Dubai as a competitive business hub,” a DED official was quoted as saying. (Read more here)

In a similar move, Saudi Arabia’s ministry of trade and investment shut down around 75 accounts on various social media, including Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and Snapchat, for posting thousands of fake good ads, Arab News newspaper said.

The undersecretary for consumer protection at the ministry, Fahd Al Hithli, said the ministry has drafted a new e-commerce law that would help create a safer environment for the e-commerce consumers. (Read more here)

Last month the DED reported that 67.7 million pieces of counterfeit goods, worth approximately 1.16 billion dirhams ($315.81 million) were confiscated in 2016, with mobile phones topping the list of the most fake goods found.

Some moves have been made to stop the spread of fake goods. Qatar’s General Customs Authority has launched a sophisticated electronic system to detect counterfeit goods coming into the country, especially cosmetics.

The system is accredited by the World Customs Organization and has been introduced due to an increase in the number of fake goods, which are manufactured in unlicensed factories, Al Sharq newspaper reported in February. (Read more here)

E-commerce had significantly grown in the Middle East over the past 10 years. The sector in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), the region’s shopping and retail hub, is expected to be valued at $10 billion by 2018. (Read more here)

Prominent UAE businessman Mohamed Alabbar had announced late last year plans to launch a new e-commerce platform with Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF) at a total initial investment of $1 billion. (Read more here)

© Express 2017