Prime Minister Nguyễn Xuân Phúc speaks at the conference. — VNA/VNS Photo Thống Nhất

HÀ NỘI — Prime Minister Nguyễn Xuân Phúc requested that breakthroughs be made in 2020 in the fight against crime, smuggling and trade fraud at a national conference on Thursday.

The event was held by the Government’s steering committee for crime prevention and control (Steering committee 138) and the national steering committee for tackling smuggling, trade fraud and fake goods (Steering Committee 389) to review tasks from last year and look for ways to implement new tasks in 2020.

The PM noted that the struggle to curb crime, smuggling and trade fraud has not produced results meeting the expectations of the Government and people. He cited examples that are rapidly increasing on a massive scale and even became more complicated, with many criminal gangs operating openly in places like Đồng Nai Province. 

The Government leader said while there are many reasons behind the situation, the main responsibility belongs to the heads of agencies and administrations in localities. He urged thorough consideration of the co-ordination and information sharing among competent forces. 

According to PM Phúc, it is necessary to assess the role and responsibility of Party committees, administrations and competent forces as well as of steering committees in localities. 

He added that the handling of law violations of individuals and collectives in the field was not strict enough, affecting the fight against smuggling, trade fraud and fake goods. 

The PM stressed that the five forces – police, customs, market management, border guard, and coastal guard – play a very important role in the fight. He urged the forces and local authorities to make greater efforts in fighting crime, smuggling and trade fraud, especially when the Tết (Lunar New Year), the biggest festival in a year, is drawing near. — VNS