RIYADH: Raids carried out at 1,500 mobile phone shops in the first week of Ramadan have uncovered at least 500 violations including cover-up operations, sale of counterfeit goods and lack of licenses to operate.
The inspections were carried out by the Ministry of Commerce and Investment in cooperation with the ministries of Labor and Social Development, Municipal and Rural Affairs, Telecommunication and Information Technology, and Interior.
The Labor Ministry announced on March 10 that the industry had three months to ensure 50 percent Saudization, and complete the process by Sept. 1 this year.
During the raids, the inspectors seized large quantities of counterfeit mobile batteries and chargers with famous brand names and discovered that price tags had not been placed on some products.
The ministry has previously warned that those involved in cover-up businesses face fines of up to SR1 million and/or two years in jail. Expatriates would be deported on completion of their sentences, while citizens would be banned for five years from the sector. In addition, the names of offenders would be published in local media.
On Saturday, Commerce and Investment Minister Majid Al-Qassabi reiterated the warning. He added that the Small and Medium Enterprises Authority would support entrepreneurs in the telecommunications sector, including providing training for young citizens.
The deployment of locals will be carried out in this sector by the various ministries, the Human Resources Development Fund, Technical and Vocational Training Corporation, the General Organization for Social Insurance and other agencies.
The inspections were carried out by the Ministry of Commerce and Investment in cooperation with the ministries of Labor and Social Development, Municipal and Rural Affairs, Telecommunication and Information Technology, and Interior.
The Labor Ministry announced on March 10 that the industry had three months to ensure 50 percent Saudization, and complete the process by Sept. 1 this year.
During the raids, the inspectors seized large quantities of counterfeit mobile batteries and chargers with famous brand names and discovered that price tags had not been placed on some products.
The ministry has previously warned that those involved in cover-up businesses face fines of up to SR1 million and/or two years in jail. Expatriates would be deported on completion of their sentences, while citizens would be banned for five years from the sector. In addition, the names of offenders would be published in local media.
On Saturday, Commerce and Investment Minister Majid Al-Qassabi reiterated the warning. He added that the Small and Medium Enterprises Authority would support entrepreneurs in the telecommunications sector, including providing training for young citizens.
The deployment of locals will be carried out in this sector by the various ministries, the Human Resources Development Fund, Technical and Vocational Training Corporation, the General Organization for Social Insurance and other agencies.
