Anti-smuggling: The weakest point is the coordination of forces

According to Mr. Nguyen Van Can, Chief of the Standing Office of the National Steering Committee 389, this is an important reason why smuggling is becoming more complicated.

On the occasion of the New Year of the Goat, VOV.VN reporter interviewed Mr. Nguyen Van Can, Chief of Office of the National Steering Committee against smuggling, trade fraud and counterfeit goods (National Steering Committee 389) about the work of preventing and combating smuggling, counterfeit goods... in 2014 and tasks in 2015.

In 2014, over 206,000 violations were handled.

PV:In 2014, the authorities cracked down on many large-scale smuggling cases. Could you tell us what were the key factors that contributed to this success?

Mr. Nguyen Van Can:2014 was the year in which the fight against smuggling, trade fraud and counterfeit goods had certain changes. The clear results of the past year were due to the following factors:

Authorities strengthen anti-smuggling efforts. Photo: Radiovietnam

Firstly, innovation in awareness of the harmful effects of smuggling, trade fraud and counterfeit goods. Demonstrating the political determination of the Government, sectors and localities in establishing and implementing the activities of Steering Committee 389.

Second, innovate the direction and inspection work through the direct inspection of key provinces and cities by the Heads and Deputy Heads of the National Steering Committee 389.

Third, direct combat work has also changed. Key functional forces: Police, Border Guard, Customs, Market Management, etc. have established many effective combat topics and projects.

This is reflected in the results of the fight to detect, arrest and handle violations more effectively than the previous year: in 2014, 206,000 violations were handled, an increase of 12.1% compared to 2013; the amount of fines and confiscated goods, and tax arrears paid to the State budget was 13,000 billion VND, an increase of 27% compared to 2013; 2,081 cases were prosecuted with 2,275 violators.

In 2014, the authorities inspected, detected, arrested and handled over 206,000 violations (an increase of 12.11% compared to 2013); the State budget revenue from administrative fines, confiscated goods, and inspection, examination and tax collection was estimated at over 13,000 billion VND (an increase of 27.1% compared to 2013); 2,081 criminal cases were prosecuted with 2,275 subjects.

Rectify the situation of protection for smuggling

PV:During the Lunar New Year, criminal activities related to smuggling, trade fraud and counterfeit goods are becoming more complicated. So, in your opinion, what should be done to prevent this situation?

Mr. Nguyen Van Can:It is necessary to continue to resolutely implement measures, plans, and projects to combat smuggling, especially in border provinces and large cities, to minimize smuggled, counterfeit, and poor-quality goods, contributing to stabilizing and developing the market during the 2015 Lunar New Year.

At the same time, in the long term, the National Steering Committee 389 determined that the results of the work against smuggling, trade fraud and counterfeit goods in 2014 were a positive start, and it is necessary to continue to promote and focus on solutions such as: Continuing to identify the task of fighting smuggling, trade fraud and counterfeit goods as an important task, both urgent and long-term, requiring drastic and persistent implementation, requiring the real participation of the political system, the core of which is the functional forces against smuggling.

And, build a synchronous legal system, appropriate policies, limit the occurrence and inadequacies for subjects to take advantage of smuggling and trade fraud; ensure sufficient authority for competent authorities to fight effectively.

Timely commend and reward collectives and individuals with outstanding achievements in the fight against smuggling; Correct, criticize and review the responsibilities of collectives and individuals, especially heads of agencies and units who lack responsibility, cover up and protect smuggling.

Strengthen coordination and information sharing between functional forces at the border and inland, organize the establishment of major projects and sensitive goods that greatly affect the economy and people's lives.

Strengthening the socialization of anti-smuggling work by Associations and industries providing information and financial support to functional forces.

The weakest point in the fight against smuggling is the coordination of forces.

PV:We still have many difficulties in coordination between ministries and sectors in preventing smuggling, trade fraud and counterfeit goods. What breakthrough solutions are needed to reduce these difficulties and problems?

Mr. Nguyen Van Can:That’s right, currently the weakest link in the fight against smuggling, trade fraud and counterfeit goods is coordination between forces; coordination between localities, functional sectors; coordination in exchanging information about subjects, goods, prices… is still weak and receives little attention from leaders at all levels. This has unintentionally created a big loophole for smugglers to exploit.

To overcome this weakness, it is necessary to continue to thoroughly grasp the content of raising awareness of the direction and closeness of leaders at all levels, identifying the task of fighting against smuggling as an urgent, long-term task that must be persistently carried out; assigning responsibilities, areas, and routes of functional forces to ensure the synchronous implementation of anti-smuggling, trade fraud, and counterfeit goods work from border areas, at sea, and inland; focusing on fighting organized smuggling, networks, and groups.

Strengthen information exchange between functional forces and local authorities, create a wide information network, and enhance trust in direction and implementation between units.

Lack of synchronous and effective solutions to combat smuggling

PV:What is the reason why the work of preventing and combating smuggling and counterfeit goods, which we have been doing vigorously, is still complicated and bustling during Tet, sir?

Mr. Nguyen Van Can:Smuggling, trade fraud and counterfeit goods all have one thing in common: profit. They also operate according to the law of supply and demand. Where there is demand, there will be supply. During Tet, smuggling increases mainly to serve the high demand for consumption, the supply of goods to the market is large, and the production and trading of counterfeit goods also breaks out. The authorities have taken drastic measures, but the situation of smuggling, trade fraud and counterfeit goods is complicated and bustling during Tet, which is a reality.

Some specific reasons are: the border area's terrain is complex, mountainous, with many channels and trails across the border. On the other hand, the low level of education and the economic difficulties in the border area have led to the brokers taking advantage of this and enticing people to participate in transporting smuggled cigarettes. The Vietnamese consumer psychology favors foreign goods, while domestic goods are not competitive, and the business ethics of a number of individuals and organizations in the country are using any means to violate the law for immediate profits.

Furthermore, the involvement of local authorities and functional forces has been there, but not really drastic, lacking synchronous and effective solutions in the fight against smuggling. Meanwhile, the main functional agencies including: Police, Customs, Border Guard, Market Management have few staff, thin forces, and tools and equipment are both lacking and weak.

In particular, administrative sanctions for this field are still light and not deterrent enough; criminal sanctions still have limitations that subjects can take advantage of to transport, trade, and produce poor quality goods.

PV:Are you concerned that by the end of this year, when the ASEAN economic community is established and the TPP is signed, counterfeit and poor quality goods will be rampant?

Mr. Nguyen Van Can:The Standing Office 389 is an advisory body for the National Steering Committee. We have implemented and have specific plans to prevent and stop this situation. However, I think that entrepreneurs and the domestic and foreign business community will focus on improving their production capacity and product competitiveness and coordinate with the functional forces in the Central and local Steering Committee 389 to propagate, support and accompany, prevent and repel smuggling and trade fraud.

According to VOV