The prevention of smuggling and the trade in counterfeits was at the centre of an online conference held by the Government Portal on October 31, with a focus on ensuring the health of the market.

Deputy Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc, Head of the National Steering Committee on the Prevention and Control of Smuggling, Trade Fraud and Fake Commodities, called upon ministries, sectors and localities to step up their efforts to prosecute violators.

Deputy Head of the Market Management Department under the Ministry of Industry and Trade, Nguyen Trong Tin, said fake and low-quality products are so dominant on the market due to overlaps in legal documents; a lack of manpower and equipment; loose coordination between sectors; poor local awareness-raising campaigns; and more sophisticated smuggling tricks.

He reported that the ministry uncovered more than 63,000 violations and collected fines worth 187 billion VND (8.7 million USD) during the first eight months of this year.

Meanwhile, the General Department of Customs is increasing its role in preventing smuggling via border gates, air and sea ports, Deputy Head Nguyen Van Can said.

With regard to the upcoming traditional Tet holiday, the department would intensify measures to prevent counterfeit goods from entering the country, he added.

The Prime Minister already assigned specific tasks to ministries, sectors, and local authorities to implement measures against trade fraud.

Participants also discussed a number of issues relating to administrative reform in the customs sector and solutions to contraband goods and intellectual property infringement.-VNA