Abu Dhabi: The Abu Dhabi Department of Economic Development (DED) seized 9,249 fake products and issued 1,456 fine tickets in the second quarter of 2018, it said on Saturday.
The department carried out 47,831 inspections on commercial facilities in the emirate’s three regions: Abu Dhabi, Al Ain and Al Dhafra.
During the past six months, the department also shut down 20 commercial establishments — 16 in Abu Dhabi, one in Al Ain and three in Al Dhafra.
They violated the laws and conditions that govern the conduct of commercial activity in the emirate.
Mohammad Munif Al Mansouri, CEO of Abu Dhabi Business Centre at the department, said the DED is keen to eliminate all negative practices that might affect the business environment in the emirate.
He said they are working on an emirate-level consumer protection strategy to ensure that all types of negative behaviours that affect the business sector are combated.
The fake products included construction materials, cosmetics, hair products, car parts, accessories, electrical devices and electronics, and intellectual works. Last year, it confiscated 8,791 items in the same period.
The inspections registered an increase of 14.7 per cent compared to the same quarter last year, which recorded 41,679 visits.
As per the second quarter report issued by the Commercial Protection Administration at Abu Dhabi Business Centre, 314 special inspections were conducted, compared to just 149 inspections during the same quarter last year. The inspections were done in cooperation with Abu Dhabi Municipality, Abu Dhabi Police and other bodies.
The fines tickets were issued for violations such as practicing additional activities without a licence; failure to comply with prescribed terms and conditions related to the facility’s premises; non-compliance with terms and conditions governing the writing of trade names or billboards; the possession, marketing, production or purchase of fake goods, commodities, materials or products; utilisation of the facility’s premises or part thereof for residential purposes; unauthorised use of external spaces; and smoking inside playrooms, restaurants or salons.
