The Permanent Deputy Prime Minister examines the work of anti-smuggling in An Giang

Permanent Deputy Prime Minister Truong Hoa Binh examined border area at An Giang province. Photo: VGS/Lê Sơn

Reporting to the Permanent Deputy Prime Minister and the government task force, An Giang province said that: In 2016, the socio-economic situation of An Giang province developed quite comprehensively, economic indicators and social figiues achieved over 19 of 22 targets under resolution, 3 indicators were not reached. In particular, the average agricultural production value per capita reached 160 million VND/ha, total revenue collection reached nearly 5 trillion VND (achieved 109%), received 63 projects with a total registered capital of 14.7 trillion VND (grew 3.8 times in capital over the same period).

For the fight against smuggling, fraud and counterfeiting in the province, the situation is still complicated, the number of violations decreased but the value of seized goods increased. In 2016, the anti-smuggling forces inspected and discovered 2,636 violations cases (decrease 20%) over the same period in 2015. The total value of seized goods is over 54 billion VND (rose by 58% compared to 2015), prosecuted 18 cases with 28 defendants.

Acknowledging the limitations and weaknesses of this work, An Giang Province asserted that, the exchange and sharing information between the anti-smuggling forces did not work effectively, policies of creating jobs and stable life for people living in border areas has not worked efficiently, some regulations still have problems not solved in time by ministries, etc.

Regarding the road traffic safety, traffic accidents decreased in 3 criteria on the number of accidents, number of deaths, the number of injuries in 2016.

Functional forces opened multiple waves to crack down on crime. Thereby, crime about social order fell 21% compared to 2105, very serious cases and particularly serious cases decreased 7.6%, solving crime reports and recommend to prosecute reached 83.4 % .

Regarding the socio-economic development tasks in 2017, An Giang province defined to focus on three breakthrough fields, including: Agriculture, tourism and human resources. An Giang selected the year of 2017 as the "Year of enterprise" to focus on solving the difficulties that are the investment barriers and enterprise operation, determined to build machinery of the State as integrity, building, action, serving the people.

Speaking at a working session, Permanent Deputy Prime Minister Truong Hoa Binh praised and appreciated the Party, local Government and people of all ethnic groups in the province having completed socio-economic development tasks in 2016, actively fight against crime; propaganda, campaigning and handling with smuggling, commercial fraud and counterfeiting; having more synchronous measures to reduce traffic accidents.

Besides the great achievement, the Permanent Deputy Prime Minister also pointed out the shortcomings and limitations that the province needs to overcome in the near future. That is, the province has not fulfilled its potential and competitive advantages for socio-economic development such as large area, population, fertile soil, with border economics, etc.

One of the weaknesses that were mentioned by the Deputy Prime Minister is the smuggling, trade fraud in the province remains complicated, especially sugar smuggling has increased.

With the main theme in 2017 "Strengthening discipline and upholding the responsibility, creative competition, rapid and sustainable development", the Permanent Deputy Prime Minister suggested the province continue to create new changes in the economic structure, such as pushing strong quality and productivity of the agricultural sector, the scientific application of high technology in agriculture and crop restructuring to attract major investors to invest in agriculture, increase agricultural value. For industry, they need to select to develop renewable energy, solar energy, processing seafood industry, avoid outdated technology when calling for investment and development of various types of business and new styles of cooperation in order to enhance the value chain of goods to the people.

At the same time, promote socialization to mobilize investment resources for infrastructure development, prepare the conditions to actively grasp opportunities in international integration; to promote the advantages of the province to choose development sectors towards increasing productivity, quality and competitiveness, growth combines the width and depth; continue to concentrate and accelerate to implement new rural construction; focus on vocational training, job creation, poverty reduction quickly and sustainably; as well as education, health, culture, sports and tourism.

Take care of Tet preparation and enjoy holiday of local people with playful, healthy, safe and economical, especially ethnic minorities.

Permanent Deputy Prime Minister noted that, the province should organize well the resolutions and directives of the Central Government on the fight on crime prevention, as well the need to transform the area, determine responsibilities of head committees, governments and heads of police at all levels in the fight against crime. Accordingly, to monitor the situation, managed localities and promptly resolve emerging issues of security and order, actively prevent attacks combined with raids, determined not to criminal abuse and complex operations.

The committees, governments have to be more involved, identifying the fight against smuggling is an important task. Focus on training and improving professional, quality, service ethics, interest in socio-economic development in border areas so that people have a stable life, not involved with or abetting smuggling. In particular, peak open struggle against smuggling, trade fraud and counterfeit goods from now until the Lunar New Year, good control of the domestic market, prevention and timely treatment of goods of unknown origin, smuggled goods, determined not to waste food, and firecrackers in domestic market penetration.

Deputy Prime Minister requested that, the province needs grassroots organizations with the help of the people associated with the patrol and control for good with a unified command and timely, effective coordination, information processing quick information, training and raising the quality of service enforcement, the work will have a drastic change with more cases discovered, more cases of smuggling uncovered. Thereby, ensure domestic production, the health of the people against revenue loss.

In particular, fake fertilizer and pesticides is causing many difficulties for farmers. The force must closely examine the production facilities, the business items to limit production affecting farmers.

Regarding the recommendations and proposals of the province, Deputy Prime Minister assigned the ministries of research, recommendations to competent authorities for consideration and decision, disassembly to An Giang province is growing.

Earlier, Deputy Prime Minister Truong Hoa Binh, visited Don Tinh Bien border gate (An Giang).

During an Intimate talk with officials and soldiers, the Deputy Prime Minister stressed: District authorities and border posts to do well the mass mobilization, extensive propaganda to not abet smuggle. For this, the government should use more drastic measures to improve people's lives the border areas, build peace, friendship, cooperation and development.

At the same time, to strengthen the responsibility of heads of committees, local authorities, heads of units in the fight against smuggling. Resolutely implement no "forbidden zone" in handling this issue.