I bumped into my old friend Abdul Aziz Bin Othaimeen the other day and I thanked myself for the opportunity to discuss some consumer-related issues. Abdul Aziz is the chairman of Hemaya Universal, a privately run organization that provides professional expertise and strategic solutions to protect consumers, as well as the economy, from counterfeit and pirated products through cooperation with the legitimate brand owners and appropriate government agencies.
Along with his partner Ahmed Al-Zebaidi, the founder and CEO of the company, Abdul Aziz takes the matter of protectionism seriously. The title of this column is borrowed from the mission statement of this pioneer company that aims to set our minds at ease by coordination with Saudi Customs, brand manufacturers worldwide and domestic distributors to fight piracy and counterfeit goods and fighting back against a wave of fake goods that could fool most consumers into believing that they’ve just bought the real thing.
And so I began asking him if he was aware of the recent media reports about deadly pesticides being sold openly in the market in spite of government efforts to thwart further tragedies following the fatal deaths recently in a family exposed to such harmful substance.
“Yes, we are very well aware of these infractions and along with the Ministry of Commerce and Trade we are gearing up to fight back.”
And how would he propose to do such a thing? “Tariq, it is through people like you in the media that we intend to continue carrying out our message of awareness to safeguard the interests of all. You have to understand that we are a company yet in its infancy and have to deal with several governmental bureaucracies in order to establish some form of credibility. And such measures often consume our time heavily. That is why you probably have wondered why you haven’t seen much of me lately. There is so much to do.
“Confiscated counterfeit goods apprehended by our authorities amount to more than $100 million annually. And that’s just the tip of the iceberg. Be it automotive parts, medical supplies or simpler things like household appliances or products, there is a huge market of this shadow industry willing to copy someone else’s brand without delivering the standards and quality required. And as most consumers are often swayed in their purchase by the price factor, these counterfeit goods eventually filter themselves to most households.
“In the words of my partner Ahmed, for many years, black and gray marketers were free to treat much of the Middle East market as their personal kingdoms. Even when raids were successful, counterfeiters and pirates were seldom successfully prosecuted, and merely continued their incredibly profitable trade from a different location.
“Hemaya Universal has not held back in promoting awareness and it is not simply limited to the Kingdom. Following our successful inauguration last October in Jeddah of the first Arab Consumer and Brand Protection Forum, we have moved to neighboring countries and have held several forums in this respect.
“We have brought on board the Islamic Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ICCI) by signing a Memorandum of Understanding to design strategies and spread awareness on consumer protection in the Muslim world.
“The Arab League and the World Customs Organization have indicated full backing and support to our cause. But we are not resting here. We intend to broaden the cause of consumer protection beyond brand protection and counterfeit goods. We intend to highlight consumer rights in everyday issues. Such as what rights does your wife have if some clothing she has purchased, and which she could not try on at the time of purchase cannot be taken back or exchanged?
“Or an instance when a curtain-maker is asked to design, fabricate and install curtains throughout a home only for the owner to balk at paying him his just dues. Yes, there are laws in the books for a few of these things. But to gain compensation and justice in the existing system can be a lengthy process. We want to help such consumers too.”
“In my line of work, I run across many a citizen who has much to complain about everyday issues, Abdul Aziz. But yet very few have the resolve or the determination to do something about it. And not just for themselves, but also for those around them. This is indeed your time to fight back. What you and your partner Ahmed have undertaken is indeed a noble cause. It will set many a consumer’s mind at ease. May the force be with you. And God bless you both for it.”
