Yamanat – Special
Counterfeit goods of various brands and trademarks have spread in Yemeni markets, and are being sold in various shops (wholesale and retail) in the absence or collusion of official control.
Despite warnings about the presence of goods counterfeiting brands and trademarks registered with the Ministry of Industry and Trade, these goods are still sold in shops in Sanaa and the governorates, which is an indication that the Ministry of Industry and Trade turns a blind eye to these counterfeit goods.
In addition to the damage that counterfeit goods cause to companies that own agencies and trademarks for original goods, the damage caused by counterfeit goods causes health damage to the consumer, due to the quality of the goods and the non-conformity of most of them to specifications and standards.
Despite the claims of the Minister of Trade and Industry in Sanaa, Muhammad Sharaf Al-Mutahhar, that he has achieved achievements since he assumed the ministry, counterfeit goods and trademarks have become widespread in storefronts in the capital, Sanaa, and the governorates, which raises many questions about the supervisory role of the ministry and its Authority for Standardization, Metrology, and Quality Control. Which, unfortunately, is witnessing an exodus of its qualified and trained technical personnel.
The spread of counterfeit goods comes at a time when the conflict over trademarks is intensifying, and merchants and companies accuse the Ministry of Trade and Industry in Sanaa of canceling their trademarks and granting some of them to others. Dozens of merchants and companies filed dozens of lawsuits against the ministry in the commercial court in the capital secretariat regarding the experimental trademarks.
“Yamnat” obtained documents revealing the spread of counterfeit goods in the markets, and the harm they cause to consumer health.
– How do these goods enter from the customs control ports to Sanaa and the governorates..? Why do the Ministry of Industry and Trade and the Standards, Metrology and Quality Control Authority in Sana’a not deal with the warnings of the Yemeni Society for Consumer Protection and the complaints of companies?
Can Minister Muhammad Al-Mutahhar answer these questions?