I can imagine that the ordinary reader would say, “I hope the matter only pertains to imported clothing.” But there are also fake electric goods that could also be dangerous. The market is replete with counterfeit and potentially dangerous goods that look similar to the real items in all regards except in terms of quality and safety.

The issue does not stop here. You would be amazed when you go to buy spare parts for your vehicle, parts that are in the same packaging as the real items but which are fake and of much lower quality.

In the Saudi market there are three kinds of car parts: the original; the fake but adequate; and the fake and flimsy.

These counterfeit parts aren’t available in some back-alley black market, but rather openly sold with impunity in shops across the Kingdom.

Even toys in the Kingdom are fake and do not adhere to acceptable safety standards. It’s not an issue of “Made in China” — such toys sold in the US are safe and of high quality.

During a visit to the US, I picked up some Chinese-made toys for my children because they were better than the Chinese-made toys here. These toys have lasted a long time. The toys I buy in Saudi Arabia might last a week before they break.

Counterfeit goods are potentially dangerous and costly in terms of the risks. Behind this problem is the personal gains that vendors receive by buying cheap and fake goods. Is it even possible that this is happening because authorities concerned are not aware of the issue?

Where is the Ministry of Commerce and Industry? What are customs officials doing about this? What is the Saudi Arabia Standards Organization doing about this? What about the Saudi Consumer Protection Agency (SCPA)?

Are all these government agencies too busy with other matters to deal with this? Does the SCPA need its own administrative watchdog to protect itself and its board of directors?