Industrial Fraud Threatens The Local Economy And Undermines National Industries, 18 DEC

 Industrial Fraud Threatens The Local Economy And Undermines National Industries

Published on: December 18, 2024: Al-Mada/Follow-up  Regulating the control of goods is an essential step to support local factories and limit excessive imports, which contributes to strengthening the national economy and its ability to withstand and grow. However, the phenomenon of industrial fraud represents a major challenge facing the Iraqi industrial sector, as it negatively affects the reputation of local products and undermines efforts to increase local production.

Industrial Fraud And Its Consequences

Counterfeit products are increasingly prevalent in local markets, where low-cost goods are imported from neighboring countries and then repackaged and sold as local products. These goods are often of lower quality, eroding consumer confidence and causing significant damage to national industries.

Mohammed Hassan Jabr, a local shop owner, explained that the weak production capacity of Iraqi factories is pushing many traders to import counterfeit goods. He added that this embarrasses traders in front of customers who notice a clear difference in price and quality.

For his part, economic expert Mustafa Akram confirmed that industrial fraud appears largely in products such as cigarettes, chicken, and table eggs, where imported products are repackaged to appear as Iraqi. He pointed out that these practices lead to the deterioration of the local market and increased reliance on imports instead of enhancing local production.

Legal And Regulatory Challenges

Despite the existence of Consumer Protection Law No. 1 of 2010, its implementation faces major challenges, according to legal expert Jamal Al-Asadi.

Al-Asadi explained that the penalties imposed on industrial fraud, such as imprisonment and financial fines, are difficult to implement due to the lack of effective oversight in the markets.

Recommendations To Combat Industrial Fraud

To address this phenomenon, Hussein Abbas, from the Economic Crime Directorate, recommended taking firm measures, including:

1. Strengthening oversight: Increasing cooperation between relevant ministries to ensure the application of Iraqi specifications to local and imported products.

2. Reissuing import licenses: Imposing strict control over all imported goods by issuing new import licenses.

3. Activating border testing laboratories: Approving testing laboratories at border crossings to ensure the quality of imported products.

4. Implementing a goods tracking system: Adopting a goods tracking system to ensure their compliance with standards.

5. Organizing follow-up teams: Forming field teams to reduce market manipulation and control violations.

The phenomenon of industrial fraud poses a major challenge to the Iraqi economy, as it negatively affects the confidence of consumers and local industries. While oversight and enforcement of laws are essential tools to combat this phenomenon, current efforts need to be intensified and coordinated more among the relevant authorities to ensure the provision of high-quality products that enhance the status of national industries.  Source: Agencies   https://almadapaper.net/389139/#hathalyoum