The prevention of smuggling and the trade in counterfeits was at the
centre of an online conference held by the Government Portal on October
31, with a focus on ensuring the health of the market.
Deputy Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc, Head of the National Steering
Committee on the Prevention and Control of Smuggling, Trade Fraud and
Fake Commodities, called upon ministries, sectors and localities to step
up their efforts to prosecute violators.
Deputy
Head of the Market Management Department under the Ministry of Industry
and Trade, Nguyen Trong Tin, said fake and low-quality products are so
dominant on the market due to overlaps in legal documents; a lack of
manpower and equipment; loose coordination between sectors; poor local
awareness-raising campaigns; and more sophisticated smuggling tricks.
He reported that the ministry uncovered more than
63,000 violations and collected fines worth 187 billion VND (8.7 million
USD) during the first eight months of this year.
Meanwhile, the General Department of Customs is increasing its role in
preventing smuggling via border gates, air and sea ports, Deputy Head
Nguyen Van Can said.
With regard to the upcoming
traditional Tet holiday, the department would intensify measures to
prevent counterfeit goods from entering the country, he added.
The Prime Minister already assigned specific tasks to ministries,
sectors, and local authorities to implement measures against trade
fraud.
Participants also discussed a number of
issues relating to administrative reform in the customs sector and
solutions to contraband goods and intellectual property infringement.-VNA