Deputy Prime Minister Trương Hòa Bình speaks at a meeting with the Vietnam Directorate of Market Surveillance on Thursday.— VNA/VNS Photo

HÀ NỘI — Deputy Prime Minister Trương Hòa Bình on Thursday urged market surveillance forces to step up the fight against smuggling, trade fraud and fake commodities.

“2019 is an important year for promoting the implementation of the five year socio-economic development plan (2016-20) and the socio-economic development strategy for 2011-20. The country has many opportunities but also faces challenges”, he said at a meeting with the Vietnam Directorate of Market Surveillance.

It was forecast that the smuggling, trade fraud, fake goods and food safety violations would continue to be complicated this year, the deputy PM said.

Bình, also the head of the National Steering Committee against smuggling, Trade Fraud and Fake Commodities, hailed the achievements of the directorate in 2018.

Last year, market surveillance forces in co-ordination with functional forces discovered more than 155,000 cases of violations and handled nearly 92,000. Some VNĐ490 billion (US$21 million) was contributed to State budget through this work.

To better protect the interests of consumers and help create favourable conditions for businesses, Bình requested the Ministry of Industry and Trade and the Vietnam Directorate of Market Surveillance to direct their employees to step up the fight against smuggling, trade fraud and fake commodities.

Functional forces were urged to make a forecast so they can promptly detect violations relating to smuggling, trade fraud and fake commodities in their area.

He suggested functional forces continue reviewing shortcomings in policies related to anti-smuggling and trade fraud and submit them to the ministry, agencies and the Government for amendment.

Regarding personnel work, Bình asked the directorate to arrange human resources in accordance with their positions.

“The directorate should strengthen inspections of public services to prevent corruption. People and businesses should not be frustrated or lose confidence in the contingent of cadres and civil servant in the market surveillance sector,” he said.

At the same time, it was necessary to prevent wrongdoings and avoid the abuse of power while performing the duties which affected the rights of citizens and reputations of enterprises.

A co-ordination mechanism should be set up between the market surveillance sector and relevant force including the police, customs, taxation and border guards and specialist inspectors from central to local level to facilitate the work, he said.

The dissemination of regulations and information relating to smuggling, trade and fake commodities, crime preventions should be boosted, the deputy Prime Minister said. — VNS