JEDDAH, 3 July 2007 — The Council of Ministers yesterday adopted a series of measures to protect the rights of consumers, including formation of a private association for the purpose. It also approved the academic calendar for the next 10 years.
The Cabinet meeting, chaired by Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah, reiterated Saudi Arabia’s support for the security and stability of Lebanon and “its independent national decision,” the Saudi Press Agency said.
King Abdullah briefed the ministers on the outcome of his recent official visits to Spain, France, Poland, Egypt and Jordan and said it was instrumental in strengthening political, economic and cultural relations with the five European and Arab countries.
“I am confident that the leaders of Spain, France and Poland will play a positive role to enable Palestinians to win their legitimate rights, reinforce security and national unity in Iraq, support the independent political decision in Lebanon...and work for closer relations among different civilizations,” the king told the Cabinet.
The Cabinet meeting instructed the ministries of municipal and rural affairs; agriculture, commerce and industry; and health as well as the Saudi Arabian Standards Organization (SASO), the General Authority for Food & Medicine and the Customs Department to play a greater role in the protection of consumer rights.
“The concerned ministries and departments have also been instructed to set out special standards for goods and services and make sure that these standards are enforced,” Culture and Information Minister Iyad Madani told the SPA.
The Cabinet also decided to set up an agency for the protection of consumers at the Commerce and Industry Ministry and a private organization named Consumer Protection Association (CPA).
“The association will defend the rights of consumers, take up their issues with public and private authorities, protect them from fraud and counterfeit products and services and enhance consumer awareness,” the Cabinet said. It will also have a general assembly comprising citizens.
Counterfeit products and services are rampant in Saudi Arabia. As a result Saudi companies as well as consumers suffer heavy losses. According to one expert at the Jeddah Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Saudi companies incur a loss of nearly SR50 billion annually as a result of growing fraudulent trade practices.
He blamed the inaction of three agencies — the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, the Customs Department and SASO for growing trade fraud in the country. If the three organizations play their roles effectively, the problem can be solved, he said.
The Customs Department must stop low-quality and imitation products from entering the country, the standards organization must give reports on various imported products quickly before giving them clearance and the ministry must take steps to prevent the manufacturing of faked-brand goods inside the Kingdom, he explained.
Speaking about the Cabinet decision on the academic calendar, Madani said each academic year would have two semesters, each with not less than 15 weeks. Eid holidays of government employees will be applied on schools and universities. Classes at schools will start half an hour before the beginning of working hours at government departments.
Education Minister Dr. Abdullah Al-Obaid said the new schedule would be applied from the 2008-2009 academic year. “The new academic calendar takes into consideration climatic changes and situation of government employees,” he said.
“The study period in each semester will be 18 weeks, of which two weeks will be allocated for examinations,” he added. The beginning and end of classes will be changed considering climatic seasons and conditions.
