DUBAI // More than 11 million counterfeit items were confiscated in the first quarter of this year, figures from the Department of Economic Development show.
Now the department wants residents to help them destroy fake goods, while assisting the disadvantaged during Ramadan.
Bags and leather products made up the biggest number of the 11,623,073 counterfeit products seized followed by perfumes and car parts.
The department is taking an awareness initiative to malls in the holy month, where people can donate as little as Dh1 to the Dar Al Ber Society and be given a counterfeit bag to put into a shredder.
“We designed the campaign as a symbolic gesture,” said Abdullah Al Shehi, a director at the division.
“It draws on the spirit of giving and fairness, which prevails during the holy month of Ramadan, to alert the public against the dangers of counterfeiting.
“Counterfeiting violates the rights of the trademark owner and can endanger the health of those who use such products.”
The dangers of counterfeiting will be highlighted at Etihad Mall until Thursday, and Al Barsha Mall from July 13 to July 17. It runs from 3pm to 5pm.
nhanif@thenational.ae
