Joint force seeks to rein in trade violations

Dubai: The Ministry of Economy (MoE) on Thursday signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the Dubai Department of Economic Development (DED) intended to revamp trade controls to protect consumers and traders from fraud and unjustified price hikes in the emirate.

Mohammad Ahmad Bin Abdul Aziz Al Shihhi, undersecretary of the MoE, said, "There are several laws in place - for example, copyright law, trademark law and counterfeit law. Today, the MoU reflects the co-operation between the Ministry and local departments to mobilise inspections to avoid violations of these laws."

The move will give the federal government more say in trade practices, violations, copyright protection and consumer protection at the local level.

Al Shihhi said the MoE and the DED now have a "joint force" to cut down on violations.

The undersecretary also said Dubai was one of the most advanced emirates when it comes to fighting violations such as piracy, counterfeit and copyright protection.

Mohammad Hilal Al Muroushedi, director of compliance division at the DED, said the MoU will help protect all parties concerned, including traders and consumers. Al Muroushedi said it was important to educate and train all people involved to fully implement this law.

The Ministry and the DED will organise workshops, courses and seminars on trade control to educate those involved.

There are penalties in the form of fines on those who violate trade control laws, regardless of nationality, but Al Muroushedi said that warnings are given first.

Abdullah Ahmad Al Hussain, director of the MoE's control department, said this agreement will make the cooperation more active as the two government bodies together now have power from both local and federal governments. "It (MoU) will improve commercial protection related to piracy and counterfeit. It will concentrate on trademark infringement and consumer protection," Al Hussain said.

Al Shihhi said through the signing of the MoU, the ministry intends to implement trade control mechanisms in the UAE.

Fact file: Laws in place

The MoU defines trade protection as: any action or conduct aimed at ensuring the full enforcement of trade laws.

Trade laws implemented in the UAE include:

• Federal Law 4 of 1979 on the suppression of fraud and deception in business transactions
• Federal law 18 of 1981 on organising commercial agencies
• Federal law 37 of 1992 on trademarks
• Federal law 9 of 1993 on trade of precious stones and metals