Permanent Deputy Prime Minister Trương Hòa Bình gives a speech at the conference. — VNA/VNS Photo Trúc Hà |
HÀ NỘI — The fight against trafficking, trade fraud and fake goods last year achieved significant results, said Permanent Deputy Prime Minister Trương Hòa Bình on Tuesday.
He made the statement during a meeting with the National Steering Committee on smuggling, commercial fraud and counterfeit goods, often called National Steering Committee 389.
Inspectors discovered and dealt with more than 234,000 cases, an increase of four per cent compared with 2017. They handed more than VNĐ19 trillion (US$818.4 million) to the State budget, and began criminal proceedings against more than 1,600 violators, an increase of 7.7 and 6 per cent over 2017, respectively.
National Steering Committee 389 made important contributions to these results, said the Permanent Deputy PM.
However, Bình said the trafficking of petroleum, cigarettes, liquor and mobile phones was still a serious problem.
The illegal transport of goods via northern and southeastern border gates had increased.
Loopholes in policies allowing the import and export of goods had not been solved.
Bình asked the steering committee to connect with concerned organisations to conduct its work and programmes effectively.
The committee must define the prevention of trafficking, trade fraud and fake goods as an important political duty which must be conducted strictly and continuously, he said.
The committee should improve their coordination with ministries, sectors and localities to complete policies to prevent trafficking.
Permanent Deputy PM Bình emphasised the importance of training and improving professional skills for workers of National Steering Committee 389.
The workers must fulfill their tasks, enhance discipline and not support traffickers, he said.
Bình proposed the steering committee issue a plan to prevent people from using electronic means to trade banned goods. It should also develop a plan to prevent import and export via northern border gates and prevent fake and substandard dietary supplements. — VNS