UAE - The Anti-Economic Crimes department of Dubai Police handled 243 cases - involving commercial fraud and piracy - worth Dh28,882,985, including cases involving 719,134 counterfeit products, in 2017.

Major General Abdul Qaddous Abdul Razzaq Al Obaidli, Assistant Director-General for Quality and Excellence at Dubai Police, said during the opening of a conference on combating counterfeit drugs organised by the Dahi Khalfan Intellectual Property Center, that the social, economic, security and health risks associated with the proliferation of counterfeit goods are increasing. These also cause heavy losses annually, leading to the imposition of strict measures to reduce trade in these goods.

He added that the annual losses through counterfeiting and piracy are expected to reach $4.3 trillion globally, putting 5.4 million jobs at risk by 2022. He pointed out that the UAE realised the danger of this practice early and implemented a proactive policy to eradicate the phenomenon.

Maj Gen Al Obaidli pointed out that the measures taken by the State contributed to the seizure of 67.7 million counterfeit items by the Department of Economic Development (DED) in Dubai, amounting to Dh1.16 billion in 2016.

He added that UAE had established solid foundations for drafting legal frameworks to deter piracy and guarantee intellectual property. It had also established rules for cooperation between regulatory bodies, government bodies, the private sector, the community and trademark owners.

Colonel Salah Buasiba, director of the Anti-Economic Crimes department, said that the number of cases related to the harmful effects on public health and safety during the first half of this year reached 38, resulting in seizures valued at Dh70,739,000.

He added that the commercial fraud and piracy issues during the year included 212 cases of trademarks, 11 cases of intellectual work, among others.

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