02/04/2015
During a workshop hosted by the East Chamber
"Customs" calls to take advantage of "IPM" program to distinguish between original and fake goods
General Customs Department has confirmed their commitment to follow the modern methods of combating commercial fraud and counterfeiting, in order to protect the country and the environment and the consumer, and for taking care of the investors interests, traders and industrialists and agencies, to communicate with the private sector as will, and with the countries and institutions that fall under the World Customs Organization.
Assistant of Hazard and Risk Management in the General Customs Gasser Alnahedh said that the subscription within the program, or IPM tool or (Interface public-Members), which is one of the means to achieve these goals .. He explained that the program to combat commercial fraud and counterfeiting, has been put to distinguish between the original goods and mixed commodities and counterfeit.
He stressed during a workshop was recently held at the East Chamber for introducing the program, that the problem of counterfeiting and fraud are universal, and Saudi Customs took upon themselves the logo (speeding permited goods, and prevent forbidden), so they are internalized within this program, and looks forward for the joining of all civil and commercial companies to protect their own goods and their brands of fraud and counterfeiting.
He pointed out that the Saudi Customs took second place among 179 countries (members of the World Customs Organization) in controlling intellectual property violations, and the fourth in the number of cases that have been seized under the customs offenses, also he said that the Kingdom seized 36% of the total seizures countries Members of the World Customs Organization, and the Kingdom still within the top ten in the fight against commercial fraud, it is in the first place in controlling commercial fraud and counterfeiting in auto parts, and sixth place in the supplies of computers, and the second in narcotic substances, and the second in arms control.
He stressed that the Customs is seeking to build the staff through the establishment of a customs Institute recognized in the Middle East and North Africa, as well as the establishment of the Canine Training Center,
He concluded by saying that participation in the (IBM) program had helped so much those interested in these achievements, which results from the protection of the country and its citizens and the environment, and requires concerted efforts with the private sector because the customs need cooperation from all this.
Fahad Al-Rabiah presented during the workshop a direct presentation on the official website of the World Customs Organization, offering some of the possibilities of the program (IBM) he said that the program (or tool) created in collaboration between the World Customs Organization and the private sector all over the world, The marks registered in the program are available with protection in all parts of the world, through this program they can be automatically and quickly identified if they are fake or tuned and counterfeit items witch make it easier for confiscation, this program allows the employee to look at images from the original trademarks and that what will make it easier to distinguish from indigenous and non-indigenous types.
He said that the program features includes one site with more than 700 producer of multiple varieties and more than two thousand brand growing continuously, where the data available in this program tracking mechanism and signs documentary linked with " Authentication and Traceability" set by some companies for their products using bar GS1 through smart phones scanning for getting detailed information on consignments receiving and they can see if they are regularly sold as well as the route taken by the selling price.
He stressed that this program is geared to help regulators, consumer protection, and the owners of intellectual property rights and trademarks tool, and this happens at a time faster and with less effort, especially after it has been in and used via smartphones, this is done in all languages chosen by the beneficiary of the service, communicating with customs anywhere in the world in any event of doubt on any merchandise, also if there are statistics on the tool it can be provided to the user,
He added that this program is one of the effective and modern solutions adopted by companies producing in collaboration with the World Customs Organization since 2010, to combat counterfeit and fake goods, and is one of the means of Customs to protect the rights and property, whether goods or designs or signs, local institutions or foreign or local agents, and the aim of the adoption of this program is to confirm that all the goods in the Saudi market is original, and no place to cheat or duplicate.
He concluded by saying that enrolled in the program at the end of last year, about 700 right holder, and 2000, trademark, and resides on the site 45 000 customs observer.
After that it was an open dialogue between the Customs Department and business representatives about the IBM program.
