Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09RIYADH537
2009-04-08 13:29:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Embassy Riyadh
Cable title:  

COMMERCE MINISTRY OUTLINES CONSUMER PROTECTION TRAINING

Tags:  ECON ETRD EINV PREL SA 
pdf how-to read a cable
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RR RUEHWEB

DE RUEHRH #0537 0981329
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 081329Z APR 09
FM AMEMBASSY RIYADH
TO SECSTATE WASHDC 0581
UNCLAS RIYADH 000537 

SENSITIVE

SIPDIS

DEPT FOR NEA/ARP

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: ECON ETRD EINV PREL SA
SUBJECT: COMMERCE MINISTRY OUTLINES CONSUMER PROTECTION TRAINING
NEEDS

REF: A) 4/2/09 USG WHITEPAPER ON ALIREZA WASHINGTON VISIT

UNCLAS RIYADH 000537

SENSITIVE

SIPDIS

DEPT FOR NEA/ARP

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: ECON ETRD EINV PREL SA
SUBJECT: COMMERCE MINISTRY OUTLINES CONSUMER PROTECTION TRAINING
NEEDS

REF: A) 4/2/09 USG WHITEPAPER ON ALIREZA WASHINGTON VISIT


1. (SBU) This is an action request. See paragraph four.


2. (SBU) In a recent letter to the Charge, Deputy Commerce Minister
for Consumer Protection Abdulrahman Abdulrazzaq outlined areas in
which the Ministry could benefit from USG training assistance. The
letter was following up on a meeting the Charge held with the Deputy
Minister in late February in which he expressed a strong interest in
such assistance.


3. (SBU) The text of the letter follows:

Dear Mr. Rundell:

With reference to our meeting at the Ministry of Commerce
headquarters on Monday, February 23, during which we discussed
consumer protection issues, please allow me to list below the
programs I believe would be relevant to the Consumer Affairs
Bureau:


1. Commercial Anti-Fraud Department Needs
a) Training programs for the Department's inspectors, both in Saudi
Arabia and abroad
b) Cooperation in the area of development and modernization of
consumer affairs regulations
c) Experts to help simplify day-to-day processes and prepare
consumer information pamphlets and flyers
d) A media awareness campaign
e) Exchange of information between Saudi Arabia and the United
States regarding copied or fraudulent products
f) Encourage U.S. companies to report violations or infringements on
their trademarks to the Ministry of Commerce's headquarters or
branches


2. General Supply Department Needs
a) Modernization of regulations and procedures
b) Supply monitoring and policy implementation programs
c) Basic food supply strategic reserve program and establishment of
storage facilities
d) Promotional research and studies program
e) Training programs
f) Price monitoring programs
g) Training programs for Ministry of Commerce employees and
volunteers to enable them to operate and run critical facilities and
services
h) Other programs

Implementing and developing the above programs in a manner that
accomplishes the goals set forth requires that the appropriate
mechanisms, policies, human and financial resources be put in place.
In view of the current volatility in the global economy, our main
goal in implementing these programs is to ensure that the needs of
Saudi citizens are met at reasonable prices, under normal and
abnormal circumstances.

We hope to be able to work these programs into the Ministry's
research and programming annual budget plan.

Sincerely,

Abdulrahman bin Abdullah Abdulrazzaq
Deputy Minister for Consumer Affairs

(end text)


4. (SBU) Post requests the Department consider this MoCI proposal in
conjunction with ref A in preparation for Minister of Commerce and
Industry Alireza's planned April visit to the United States.

RUNDELL