Almost 20 percent of the gold and jewelry shops recently inspected by the Jeddah mayoralty were found in violation of Ministry of Interior regulations, according to Dr. Bashir Bin Mustafa Abu Najm, director general of the mayoralty's licensing and surveillance division. The mayoralty inspected 179 shops selling gold and jewelry, out of which 33 were found to be in violation of regulations, he said, adding that the shop owners were given penalties and fines. Abu Najm also requested citizens to call 940 to inform the mayoralty of any infringement of rules by shop owners, promising that immediate action would be taken against those found to be in violation of rules in order to provide security for consumers. Shop owners who do not renew their license or employ foreigners in their shops will also be liable to penalties and fines. Abu Najm said the violations also covered non-renewal of commercial registration and other rules related to the health certificates of sales personnel.
