The rate of pirated building materials in the Kingdom is estimated at 40 percent, or SR38 billion, of the building materials whose market value stood at SR95 billion in 2012, local media said quoting a specialized report.

The report, prepared by the International Federation of Consulting Engineers (FIDIC) in the Gulf region, said the piracy and adulteration in the Arab region included all types of building materials such as concrete steel, bricks, electrical cables, ceramics, and porcelain tiles.

This has exposed serious risks to the safety of individuals and properties and estimates say trading in pirated building materials is overtaking dealings in drugs trafficking, the report said.

The technological progress has made the process of pirating and adulterating goods more easier and their spread in all Arab markets, including the Kingdom, which necessitated concerted efforts to fight this illegal trading, the report said.

The FIDIC is set to issue a guide on all types of building materials which will hopefully help contractors determine quality of materials and verify pirated items from genuine ones, FIDIC representative Nabil Abbas was quoted as saying.

These pirated items have caused deterioration of buildings, fall of ceilings and water leakages, he added.

Nabil called for the introduction of new techniques, which could help customs officer to cope with this new organized crime whose dangers stand on an equal footing with drugs and weapons trafficking.

He said customers should also be enlightened and encouraged to report on pirated items which are considered infringement on the intellectual rights of the original manufactures.