On the morning of August 8, Deputy Prime Minister Tran Luu Quang, head of the National Steering Committee for Combating Smuggling, Trade Fraud, and Counterfeiting (National Steering Committee 389), chaired a national online conference to review the work of combating smuggling, trade fraud, and counterfeiting in the first half of 2024 and discuss tasks for the second half.
Deputy Prime Minister Tran Luu Quang, head of the National Steering Committee for Combating Smuggling, Trade Fraud, and Counterfeiting (National Steering Committee 389), chairs the conference. Photo: VGP
According to reports at the conference, in the first six months of 2024, the functional forces detected and handled more than 64,000 cases of smuggling, trade fraud, and counterfeiting, a decrease of 2.82% compared to the same period in 2023; budget revenue reached over 6,000 billion VND, a decrease of 7.53%.
Of these cases, there were 55,133 cases of trade fraud and tax fraud, and 3,010 cases of counterfeiting and intellectual property rights infringement, a decrease of 9.7% and an increase of 8.55%, respectively, compared to the same period last year.
The authorities initiated criminal proceedings in 650 cases involving 1,912 subjects, a decrease of 44.25% in the number of cases and 18.82% in the number of subjects compared to the previous year.
The Ministry of Public Security assessed that the situation of gold smuggling and the smuggling of essential goods such as gasoline and oil has decreased thanks to the determined measures taken to dismantle smuggling rings in the past.
However, there is a rising trend of illegal exploitation and export of rare minerals, such as rare earths, leading to a loss of the country’s resources.
Therefore, the Ministry of Public Security requested that localities strictly manage the exploitation activities and output of enterprises operating in their area.
At the conference, Ho Chi Minh City proposed that the functional forces strengthen inspection and handling of violations in the field of e-commerce; clearly define the responsibilities of e-commerce platforms and sellers on these platforms to keep records of all transaction activities to serve the inspection, supervision, and investigation of competent authorities when needed.
Concluding the conference, Deputy Prime Minister Tran Luu Quang requested more resolute and better-coordinated efforts from the functional forces in combating smuggling, trade fraud, and counterfeiting, with a focus on the role of leaders.
Notably, Deputy Prime Minister Tran Luu Quang suggested that ministries, sectors, and localities promote the application of digital technology to promptly detect and handle acts and tricks of smuggling, trade fraud, and counterfeiting in the context of the strong development of e-commerce; and strengthen international cooperation and reference international experience in combating these negative phenomena.
Proposal to prosecute 4 corporate directors for causing a loss of over 16 billion VND in tax revenue
During the process of importing goods for business purposes, Mr. Doan Manh Duong (Director of Tan Dai Duong Company) has been accused of directing the misdeclaration of categories, names, and codes of the goods on the customs declaration in order to reduce the taxes payable. Additionally, he has been involved in facilitating illegal transactions between two other companies in terms of value-added tax invoices.
Dong Thap tightens management of sand exploitation
On April 26, the Chairman of the Dong Thap Provincial People’s Committee – Pham Thien Nghia signed an official dispatch requesting to rectify the management of mineral exploitation and protection in the province, mainly sand exploitation.
Customs strives for trade facilitation, boosting import-export growth
In the first quarter, the entire customs sector ensured smooth customs clearance for over 3.2 million declarations, with the total import-export value reaching nearly 178 billion USD, representing a 15.4% increase and 23.79 billion USD higher compared to the same period last year.
