Merchants only represent 10 percent of Saudi society, but they are the ones that exploit 80 percent of the country for their personal enrichment, said Wasif Kabli, Deputy Chairman of the Commercial Committee of the Jeddah Chamber of Commerce and Industry (JCCI). In an interview with Al-Hayat Arabic daily newspaper, he said: “Merchants, and I'm one of them, are exploiters. Some of us monopolize a certain commodity and others raise the prices of commodities threefold without considering the plight of consumers. There is also another group that profits from importing inferior quality goods. This all results in prices being raised on basic commodities.” He said some merchants are also bribing government officials to help them with their activities. He said crooked merchants should be named-and-shamed in the media. Kabli said the Commission for the Promotion of Virtue and Prevention of Vice, the Hai'a, should play a role in helping to monitor what is happening on the local markets. He said the Commercial Committee at the JCCI often raises concerns about counterfeit or fake products in Saudi Arabia, but he has his own views on the matter. “In my opinion, if the commodity conforms to Saudi and international specifications I don't mind if it's sold on the Saudi market, even if it is fake. Because not all Saudis can purchase a handbag made by an internationally-known manufacturer which costs SR15,000. It should be borne in mind that 80 percent of Saudi society is [working class people]. There are some who live under the poverty line. This requires the market to be [accommodating]. This will allow these groups of people to feel that they are equal with the rich.” Kabli said there are two types of merchants operating in Saudi Arabia. The first type wants to monopolize the market and prevent any imports that can lower the prices of their products. They only want to “quench their greed”. The second type, said Kabli, are honest traders who will charge fair prices for their goods and services.
