"On behalf of Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah, who is the patron of this event, I am pleased to open this forum and express my appreciation for your efforts and goals to protect the interests and welfare of all residents of the Kingdom," Al-Khwaiter said. He was acting on behalf of Finance Minister Dr. Ibrahim Al-Assaf.

Earlier, Al-Khwaiter also opened the First Arab Forum for Consumers' Awareness of Genuine Products at the hotel.

Al-Khwaiter added that commercial fraud and counterfeiting are essential issues that have negatively affected consumers and the wider public. He added that the government and private sectors have taken a collective stand to stamp out commercial fraud and counterfeiting in the Kingdom.

Al-Khwaiter said that King Abdullah has also given directives to the media to "educate consumers on the hazards of counterfeit goods and products on public health."

Saudi Customs Director Gen. Saleh bin Manai Al-Khilaiwi also spoke at the event, thanking King Abdullah's support for the forum and Al-Khwaiter for opening it.

He said that the customs system ensures flexibility and speed in processing the release of legitimate consignments and seizing illegal ones.

Al-Khilaiwi said that since 2008, Saudi Customs has paid special attention and keenness to help combat fake and counterfeit products, adding that the recommendations made in Jeddah by the First Arab Forum for Consumer Protection from Fraud and Counterfeiting "have been in force."

"The recommendations and procedures resulted in very noticeable results and have cleared the Kingdom's name from the strict regular watch list (relating to the protection of intellectual property rights)," he said.

Sulaiman Al-Hedaithi, chairman of the board of directors of Motabaqah, thanked the Saudi Customs for allowing his company to sponsor the forum.

"This forum reflects the utmost care, responsibility and keenness of the government to combat counterfeiting and its hazardous impact to the welfare of the residents of Saudi Arabia," he said.