KUWAIT CITY — Authorities have closed nine unlicensed stalls at the Friday Market in Al-Rai after discovering they were selling counterfeit goods, the Ministry of Commerce and Industry announced on May 17. The seizures were part of an inspection campaign targeting illegal commercial activities in the area.

Faisal Al-Ansari, director of the ministry's Commercial Control Department, said the operation led to the confiscation of 1,430 counterfeit items, including bags, shoes, and T-shirts falsely bearing international brand names. The crackdown was conducted by teams led by Faraj Mohammad Al-Jafira, acting head of the Al-Rai Center, alongside commercial inspector Ali Al-Owaihan.

The ministry filed nine violation reports against the stall operators, and the offenders have been referred to the Commercial Prosecution for legal action. Al-Ansari emphasized that the ministry is committed to protecting intellectual property rights and fighting commercial fraud through ongoing inspection campaigns, which extend into weekends to ensure thorough market regulation.