National Assembly (NA) deputies continued to question the Minister of Industry and Trade Vu Huy Hoang on numerous issues as part of the question and answer sessions of the 13th NA’s eighth plenum on November 18.

Deputy Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc, Head of the National Steering Committee for Prevention and Control of Smuggling, Trade Fraud and Fake Commodities, joined Hoang in the session and responded to questions raised on November 17 regarding smuggling and trade fraud.

He said one of the measures used to combat smuggling and trade fraud is to increase public awareness of anti-smuggling efforts. At the same time, it is necessary to enhance the capacity of authorised forces in the field, including customs, border guards, market management authorities, police, coast guards and taxation offices, as well as local government, he said. He also stressed the need for strict punishment for violators.

During the first nine months of this year, authorities uncovered more than 146,000 violations, up by almost 19 percent compared to the same period last year. Fines amounted to just under 10 trillion VND (476 million USD), an increase of nearly 18 percent, while legal action was taken against 1,147 suspects, he noted.

Deputy PM Phuc said maximum efforts to tackle smuggling and trade fraud will be undertaken until the lunar New Year.

Meanwhile, Minister of Planning and Investment Bui Quang Vinh provided further details on solutions to develop support industries. He highlighted the need to encourage the growth of small and medium-sized enterprises and the private sector by creating a transparent business climate. This will create added value for the main industries as well as jobs, he added.

During the session, Minister Hoang also responded to deputies’ questions on the distribution of domestic products, the responsibility of management bodies for eliminating fake and low quality fertilizers, and the retail price of electricity.

Concluding the session, NA Chairman Nguyen Sinh Hung urged Hoang to take effective action to develop support industries and boost domestic manufacturing in order to meet the demand for machinery and equipment, especially in agriculture.

He also asked for specific measures to be applied to the management of the market and the prevention of and fight against smuggling and fake commodities.-VNA