Saleh Al-Khilaiwi of Saudi Customs spoke while launching the second Arab forum in Riyadh dealing with protection from fraud and counterfeiting as well as safeguarding intellectual property rights (IPR). The event involved top customs officials from the region. "The main goals of this forum are to keep the consumer healthy and safe and to protect and watch his economic resources," said Al-Khilaiwi.
Saudi Customs seized about seven million products at all entry points in 2009, an 84 percent increase over the previous year.
In appreciation of these efforts, Al-Khilaiwi said that Saudi Customs received an award from the World Customs Organization in 2009. He added that the Kingdom was omitted from a US list of countries designated as offering less than normal protection of intellectual property rights. "The patronage of King Abdullah for the conference demonstrates his commitment to protecting citizens and residents of the country from commercial fraud."
Customs revenues collected last year amounted to SR13.2 million, a drop of 13.3 percent from 2008. The total number of people arriving in the Kingdom in 2009 was 29.3 million passengers, while those leaving the same year were 28.6 million.
The number of people arriving through the King Fahd Causeway Customs Port last year was just over eight million, with around the same number leaving.
The port handled the most people exiting and entering the Kingdom.
The forum will feature a scientific competition for researchers in the field of commercial fraud. Prizes will be given for the best three research submissions. The exhibition also features the participation of a number of international and local firms.
