(VOV) -Chief of the Office of the National Steering for the Prevention and Control of Smuggling, Trade Fraud and Fake Commodities known as Steering Committee 389 Nguyen Van Can has attributed weaknesses in joining forces to the increasingly complicated smuggling situation in recent times.
On the occasion of lunar New Year (Tet), a Radio Voice of Vietnam (VOV) reporter interviewed him about anti-smuggling activities in 2014 and tasks set for 2015.
More than 206,000 cases of violation handled in 2014 VOV:Last year, functional forces intercepted many large-scale smuggling cases. What are major contributory factors to the success?Mr. Van Be: Calendar year 2014 saw some positive changes in combating smuggling, commercial fraud and counterfeit goods. The result was attributable to the following factors:
First, there was improved awareness about the harmful effects of smuggling, commercial fraud and fake goods, prominently evidenced by the political determination of the government, sector and localities to set up a Steering Committee 389.
Second, Steering Committee Head and Deputy Heads intensified supervisory and monitoring activities in provinces and big cities.
Third, key forces- police, border guard, customs and market management staff- carried out effective investigations as a spectacular result in detecting and dealing with violations more effectively than the previous years.
In 2014, as many as 206,000 cases of violation were handled, up 12.1% from a year earlier. Total money collected from fines, sellingconfiscated goods and tax arrearsreached US$13,000 billion as a contribution to the State budget, up 27% compared to 2013. Additionally, 2,081 criminal cases were prosecuted, handling 2,275 violators.
VOV: The smuggling, commercial fraud and counterfeiting situation is becoming more and more complex as the Tet holidays are coming near. What measures should be taken to prevent this?Mr Van Be: It is essential to launch stronger anti-smuggling measures, principally in border provinces and major cities in order to minimize the flood of contraband, fake and poor-quality commodities as a better way to stabilize and develop the Tet market.
In the long run, the Steering Committee needs to continue defining the task of combating smuggling, commercial fraud and counterfeit goods as a long-term, urgent and important task that requires the closer coordination of the whole political system and key anti- smuggling forces.
A consistent legal system and proper policies are needed to help competent agencies to fight smugglers effectively.
It is necessary to timely commend and reward collectives and individuals for their outstanding achievements in the fight against smuggling, rectify and review the responsibility of collectives or individuals, particularly agency and unit heads who are irresponsible, even protect smugglers.
There should be an enhanced coordination and information sharing between functional forces at border and inland areas to prevent sensitive goods from adversely affecting the economy and people’s lives.
It is imperative to strengthen the socialization of anti-smuggling activities of associations to provide update information and financial support for functional forces.
VOV: There are many problems in the coordination between ministries and sectors in the prevention of smuggling, commercial fraud and counterfeiting. What breakthrough solutions should be devised to deal with the obstacles?Mr. Van Be: A lack of coordination in sharing information about products, prices and violators among relevant agencies and localities is the weakest point in the current battle against smuggling, commercial fraud and counterfeiting. This has inadvertently created a big loophole for smuggles to take advantage.
To overcome the weakness, we need to ensure the uniform implementation of measures against smuggling, trade fraud and counterfeit goods at border gates, at sea and inland areas with a focus on combating rings of organized smugglers.
Additionally, we should promote the exchange of information between functional forces and local authorities to build an extensive information network and enhance confidence in directing and performing tasks.
Lack of uniform anti-smuggling solutions VOV:What are the causes leading to the complicated developments of the smuggling situation during the Tet holidays?Mr Van Be: smuggling, commercial fraud and fake commodities all have one thing in common which is profitable and it also operates under the law of supply and demand. During Tet, the increasing smuggling primarily serves high consumer demands and large volumes of goods supplied to the market, thus providing ample opportunity for producing and trading fake goods.
Some other causes include topographic complexity of border areas with numerous hills, channels and cross-border paths and local people’s low educational level that enable smugglers to entice them become involved in transporting contraband goods.
Furthermore, there is a lack of synchronized anti-smuggling solutions andadministrative sanctions are not strong enough to prevent smugglers from transporting, trading and producing substandard goods.
VOV:Do you think fake goods will become rampant when the ASEAN Economic Community is formed and the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) Agreement comes into effect this year?Mr Van Be: Standing Office 389 severs as an advisor for the National Steering Committee. We have outlined specific plans to prevent the situation. However, the business community at home and abroad should focus more on improving production capacity and competitiveness and joining hands with functional agencies ofSteering Committee 389 in the fight against the social evils.
VOV: Thank you very much.
Đăng ký: VietNam News