Authorities seize fake goods in HCM City. This year market management teams have uncovered nearly 5,400 cases of trading and possession of banned, smuggled and fake goods. — Photo vietq.vn

HCM CITY— HCM City’s market management authorities should closely monitor the production and trading of goods for Tết (Lunar New Year) to keep out contraband and fakes, Lê Văn Khoa, deputy chairman of the city People’s Committee, said. 

Speaking at a seminar on Tuesday, he said they should also urge businesspeople to choose quality goods to sell.

The New Year falls on January 28.

This year market management teams have uncovered nearly 5,400 cases of trading and possession of banned, smuggled and fake goods, according to the Market Management Division.

They seized more than 39,000 bottles of imported alcoholic drinks and energy drinks and 6,656 bottles of expired juices and green tea.

They also found nearly 50 tonnes of Aone monosodium glutamate made in China and Thailand but labelled as made in Việt Nam.

They fined the offenders around VNĐ134 billion (US$6 million), more than 40 per cent up from last year.

Cigarette smuggling from neighbouring provinces is rife and done Bình Chánh District which borders Long An Province and Củ Chi District which borders Tây Ninh. The contraband is sold in Học Lạc Market in District 5.

Authorities from various city agencies have strengthened co-operation to eradicate smuggling hotspots.

Nguyễn Thanh Bình, deputy director of the Market Management Division, said the division should be extremely vigilant in its fight against smuggling and commercial fraud by focusing on goods that are in high demand during Tết, including candy, soft drinks, beer and liquor, he said.

Next year the division would try to anticipate market trends and become more professional in monitoring airports, roads, trains, waterway traffic and markets, he said.

It would seek to improve its efficiency in preventing smuggling and other unauthorised transport of goods into the city, he said. – VNS