The Ministry of Commerce conducted 37,000 inspection visits in preparation for Ramadan
As part of its ongoing efforts to regulate markets and ensure consumer protection with the approach of important religious seasons, the Ministry of Commerce the implementation of a large-scale inspection campaign covering all regions of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. This campaign resulted in approximately 37,000 field visits over the past two months, as part of its proactive plan for the holy month of Ramadan, the Umrah season, and visits to the Prophet's Mosque.
Details of the inspection and supply tours
Official statistics revealed that inspection teams conducted 30,476 monitoring and preventative visits to ensure establishments' compliance with regulations, in addition to 6,896 supply monitoring visits . These visits focused primarily on monitoring the availability of goods and the strategic reserves of essential food items and Ramadan products, which are in high demand at this time of year.
Geographic scope and targeted sectors
The inspections were not limited to central markets and hypermarkets, but extended to include gold and jewelry shops, and petrol stations, especially those located on highways used by pilgrims and visitors, and near the designated entry points for pilgrims to Mecca and Medina. This expanded oversight aims to ensure the quality of services provided to pilgrims and the availability of goods at fair prices.
Economic importance and consumer protection
These measures are of paramount importance in the context of maintaining food security and price stability. From an economic perspective, continuous monitoring of supply and demand indicators prevents any monopolistic practices or unjustified price hikes that some traders might resort to in order to exploit increased consumer demand. Through these inspections, the Ministry aims to:
- Checking for multiple suppliers of goods to ensure fair competition.
- Controlling violations of consumer protection regulations and combating commercial fraud.
- Ensuring that stores comply with the requirement to display price tags clearly.
- Monitoring Ramadan promotional offers to ensure their credibility and to prevent misleading the consumer.
General context and future plans
These efforts are part of the Kingdom's established annual strategy to ensure the smooth flow of supply chains during peak seasons. The Ministry affirms that its plans for 1447 AH are characterized by the integration of field teams and electronic systems for monitoring violations. Competent authorities have developed detailed plans covering the entire holy month to ensure an immediate response to any shortages or price manipulation, thereby enhancing consumer confidence in the local market and guaranteeing a safe and stable shopping experience for all.
