[26/July/2010]
JEDDAH, July 26 (Saba)- Yemen and Saudi Arabia has agreed to sign an accord pertaining to rationalization of consumption as well as fighting products that do not conform to required specifications and standards, Saudi newspaper Arab News reported.

The decision was taken at a joint meeting held in Jeddah between two chairmen of the consumer protection organizations of Yemen and Saudi Arabia.

"Such an agreement between the two neighboring countries is overdue since we have to protect consumers and ensure they get the right goods in their hands. We must also ban items that do not conform to standard specifications since they damage the security, safety and health of consumers", the daily quoted Saudi chairman of the Consumer Protection Agency Mohammed al-Hamad.

He pointed out talks with his Yemeni counterpart Fadhel Mansour had further strengthened bilateral cooperation and helped the two organizations exchange experience in the field of consumer protection.

"The discussions also helped us in the fight against counterfeit consumer goods that are being smuggled into the country across the border with Yemen and which are injurious to human health," he said.

The two countries share a porous and long common border in the southern part of the Kingdom.

Mansour, who also attended the recently held Saudi-Yemeni Joint Council in Jeddah, said the proposed agreement would be signed shortly and would intensify cooperation between the two countries in protecting the interests of consumers.

A recent survey confirmed that Saudi Arabia loses more than US$10.9 billion annually as a result of commercial fraud.

Saba