30 September 2016

RIYADH: Following the arrest of traders who were selling old car tires as new in several parts of the Kingdom, the Ministry of Commerce and Investment (MCI) warned here on Wednesday that such offenses would lead to a SR5,000 fine and two years in jail.

According to an MCI official, the inspection team of his ministry registered 415 such violations in 1,680 automotive car care shops in all parts of the Kingdom during the month of September.

In addition to these fines, he said that if there are no price tags on the items put up for sale, there is another fine of SR1,000-5,000 on the shopkeeper.

Some of the shops were shut down for major offenses, he said, pointing out that other lapses committed by these shops included absence of specific label on the car oil containers, non-availability of date of production, country of origin and price tags on the displayed products.

The MCI emphasized its warning to all companies, institutions and individuals to avoid cooperating with violators of the laws in the Kingdom, otherwise, they will be held accountable and face legal and statutory penalties.

The MCI aims to reduce the phenomenon of commercial concealment and fraud, and to create a trading environment, which is free of irregularities, to enable the citizens to do business safely.

It also urged citizens to report cases of commercial concealment and fraud with substantial proof, as the ministry offers a financial reward to the informant, who reports cases of commercial concealment, with an amount not exceeding to 30 percent of the value of the fines collected.

© Arab News 2016