Hau Giang province redoubles anti-smuggling efforts

Hau Giang (VNA) – Authorised agencies in Hau Giang province have been ordered to ramp up efforts to fight smuggling, trade fraud and counterfeiting in the remaining months of the year, especially on the threshold of the Lunar New Year holiday when purchasing power will surge.

Vice Chairman of the provincial People’s Committee Nguyen Van Tuan, head of Hau Giang’s steering board for anti-smuggling, trade fraud and counterfeiting, made the request at a meeting on October 11.

He said the efforts should focus on agriculture (such as fertilisers and veterinary medicine), goods quality, and food safety.

The Mekong Delta province uncovered 1,097 smuggling, trade fraud and counterfeiting cases, and seized 682 million VND (over 27,200 USD) worth of illegal goods in the first nine months of 2016.

Criminal proceedings were launched against 11 cases involving 11 persons, data show.

Participants in the meeting proposed measures to promote smuggling, trade fraud and counterfeiting prevention from now to the year’s end.

While some officials suggested punishments be meted out basing on violations instead of the value of goods involved, others asked for stronger coordination in communications with the media so as to raise sellers’ awareness.-VNA