The import of fake products costs the Kingdom SR16 billion annually despite measures taken by the Saudi Organization for Specifications and Standards, the Ministry of Commerce and Industry and Customs, said an official source at the ministry. The source warned consumers about the danger to their health posed by fake or poor-quality food, electric appliances, electronics and medicines. He said in the past few years there has been fraud involving 90 percent of all commodities, which are dumped on the Kingdom's markets. The source did not deny statements by Chinese officials that some Saudi importers are responsible for importing inferior products into the Kingdom to increase their profits. He stressed the importance of cracking down on these criminals. Citing examples of commercial fraud, he said this can be done by adding substandard substances to the commodity, reducing components or using inferior and cheap components. Unscrupulous merchants promote such products in Ramadan. They showcase these fake items close to high-quality products to trick customers. __
