The Ministry of Commerce has taken a significant step in combating commercial cover-up (tasattur) in Saudi Arabia by launching a service that allows individuals to report cases of cover-up in other establishments. This initiative is part of the National Anti-Commercial Concealment Program, aimed at ensuring that businesses comply with market regulations and reducing the prevalence of cover-up crimes in the Kingdom. The Federation of Saudi Chambers has also distributed a circular to all chambers of commerce across the country to educate private sector firms about this new service and provide guidance on how to use it effectively.
In order to report a case of commercial cover-up, the informer is required to submit certain documents including commercial registry data, national identity data for Saudis and GCC citizens, resident identity data for non-Saudis, passport data, and documents supporting the shared information. The process of submitting information is done through logging into the Ministry of Commerce system or the Nafath unified national site, entering informer and reported establishment data, and submitting the request. The ministry emphasized that enabling a non-Saudi to work for their own account using the name, license, or commercial registry of a foreign or Saudi investor constitutes commercial cover-up, and reports of such cases are accepted under this category.
Under the Anti-Concealment Law, individuals who report cases of commercial cover-up may be eligible for a financial reward of up to 30 percent of the total fines imposed on the violators. This reward is granted upon providing evidence that proves the cover-up, and fines of up to SR1 million can be imposed on each violation. It is important for citizens and residents to take advantage of this opportunity to report instances of commercial cover-up and contribute to maintaining a fair and transparent business environment in the Kingdom.
The Ministry of Commerce has made reporting commercial cover-up cases a priority in its efforts to crack down on illegal activities in the business sector. By enabling individuals to report such cases through its official website, the ministry is empowering citizens and residents to play an active role in combating this crime and ensuring that establishments adhere to market regulations. The step-by-step process for submitting information makes it easy for informers to report cases of commercial cover-up, and the promise of financial rewards serves as an incentive for individuals to come forward with valuable information.
The circular issued by the Federation of Saudi Chambers underscores the importance of educating private sector firms about the new reporting service and provides guidance on how to utilize it effectively. By creating a dedicated page for stakeholders to learn about the methods of reporting, the ministry is ensuring that information on reporting commercial cover-up cases is easily accessible to those who need it. This initiative is a significant milestone in the fight against commercial cover-up in the Kingdom, and it is hoped that it will help to reduce the prevalence of this crime and promote a culture of transparency and compliance in the business sector.
In conclusion, the launch of the reporting service for commercial cover-up cases by the Ministry of Commerce is a positive step towards ensuring that businesses in Saudi Arabia operate in a fair and transparent manner. By providing individuals with the opportunity to report cases of cover-up and offering financial rewards for valuable information, the ministry is encouraging citizens and residents to take an active role in combating this crime. This initiative, part of the National Anti-Commercial Concealment Program, aims to enhance compliance with market rules and reduce the prevalence of cover-up in the Kingdom, ultimately contributing to a more ethical and accountable business environment.
