Hanoi: Focusing on coordination of competent forces for anti-smuggling efforts

Deputy Minister of Finance Vu Thi Mai spoke at a meeting

That was the opinion of Deputy Minister of Finance Vu Thi Mai at a meeting between Deputy Prime Minister Truong Hoa Binh, Director of National Steering Committee 389 and Steering Committee 389 Hanoi.

Deputy Minister Vu Thi Mai emphasised that in the first four months of 2020, the Ministry of Finance (a permanent agency of the National Steering Committee 389) advised the Director of National Steering Committee 389 to direct ministries and authorities in implementing effectively the task of anti-smuggling, trade fraud and counterfeit goods.

In the first quarter of 2020, forces in the country detected more than 52,700 cases of violations, up 57% over the same period in 2019, collecting more than VND 8,000 billion into State revenue; prosecute 731 cases.

According to Deputy Minister Vu Thi Mai, in the context of the Covid-19 pandemic, reducing inspections and examinations to facilitate production and business activities of enterprises, requiring Steering Committee 389 of localities, ministries and sectors to coordinate with Steering Committee 389 of Hanoi to collect and exchange information to detect and strictly handle, preventing people from taking advantage of facilitation for smuggling.

Suggesting Steering Committee 389 Hanoi to strengthen the implementation of Resolutions and Directives of the Prime Minister, Director of the National Steering Committee 389, plans of anti-smuggling, against trade fraud and fake goods; focus on coordination between police forces, customs, market management in some key areas such as Noi Bai International Airport, express delivery and Yen Vien international railway station.

Implementing Resolution No. 119/NQ-CP dated December 31, 2019 on urgent measures to enhance State management of preventing fraudulent of origin of goods transshipment, over the recent time, the General Department of Vietnam Customs has worked to elaborate plans and coordinate in the fight against many fraudulent origin violations.

Some persons importing components and spare parts, then simply assemble and labeled "Made in Vietnam", export to foreign countries, to enjoy preferential tax rates. Recently, the Ministry of Finance assigned the General Department of Vietnam Customs to sign a cooperation deal with US customs on combating frauds of origin and illegal transshipment.

Deputy Minister Vu Thi Mai also suggested the Steering Committee 389 of Hanoi coordinate with the General Department of Vietnam Customs, the Permanent Office of the National Steering Committee 389 to improve the effectiveness of the fight against smuggling and commercial fraud and counterfeit goods.

For problems, it was recommended the Steering Committee 389 of localities should have specific proposals, on that basis, the Office of the National Steering Committee 389 would summarise and report to the Prime Minister and Director of the National Steering Committee 389 countries to assign ministries and sectors (chaired on legal documents) to amend them in accordance with reality.