The Ministry of Commerce and Industry detailed in a statement to the Kuwait News Agency a joint inspection conducted last week with the Ministry of Interior that led to the seizure of around 11,000 counterfeit items including clothing, footwear and handbags bearing fake international brand trademarks. The operation, carried out by the Capital Governorate Inspection Team in coordination with the Hawally Governorate Criminal Investigation Department, resulted in the immediate closure of eight violating shops. Official violation reports were issued and legal measures initiated against those responsible, according to the ministry.
According to the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, the new intensive campaign will involve regular inspection tours across all governorates to regulate markets, eliminate counterfeit products and track those violating intellectual property rights laws. The ministry highlighted that commonly counterfeited goods include watches, clothing, shoes and car parts in addition to medicines and cosmetics. Such possession, display or sale of counterfeit items constitutes a clear violation that infringes on the rights of trademark owners, the ministry stated.
The ministry’s assessment found that trademark infringement amounts to forgery under Kuwaiti law with penalties ranging from one month to three years in prison or fines from 385 to 77,000 Kuwaiti dinars or both. Officials emphasised the need to distinguish between trade names and trademarks during enforcement. The campaign aims to protect the reputation of Kuwait in international rankings related to combating commercial fraud, according to the ministry.
A joint report by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development and the European Union Intellectual Property Office estimated the global value of trade in counterfeit and pirated goods at $467 billion in 2021, accounting for 2.3 percent of total world imports. The assessment projected that this figure could rise toward $600 billion amid geopolitical tensions and related disruptions such as potential closure of key maritime routes. The report underscored risks to consumer safety from substandard counterfeit products.
Economic advisor Abdullah Al-Gharib described counterfeiting as a global crisis that has caused Kuwaiti companies to suffer declining sales, harm to intangible assets and reduced market share. Al-Gharib pointed to the greatest danger from counterfeit medicines and cosmetics that can directly impact public health. He expressed satisfaction with the outcomes of the recent campaign against shops selling fake branded goods.
Al-Gharib noted that promoters of counterfeit items can reap millions of Kuwaiti dinars while undermining legitimate businesses. The advisor called for continued intensification of inspection campaigns to address these violations across local markets. The Ministry of Commerce and Industry indicated that such efforts will persist to strengthen consumer protection and maintain regulatory oversight.
