Last year, relevant agencies from provinces and cities throughout the country handled nearly 185,000 cases of illegally transporting contraband imitation goods and trade fraud, collecting a total VND3,200 billion in fines. However, the situation of smuggling and trade fraud remained very complicated in the border provinces of Lang Son, Quang Ninh and Lao Cai as well as at sea, river ports, and by air, by post and railway.

This year, the Ministry of Industry and Trade will work together with the Ministry of Planning and Investment and the Ministry of Finance to finalise a national programme to control the smuggling of fake goods and trade fraud in the 2011-2015 period.

The Ministry of Industry and Trade will also ask the Government to issue a decree on administrative punishment for the smuggling of pirated goods.

Customs officers, border guards and maritime police also need to enhance control over the border provinces and economic border gates.

Nguyen Hung Dung, the Head of the Market Control Department under the Ministry of Industry and Trade, said it is essential to take more effective measures to curb prices, stabilise the market and control inflation.

The Government should create plans to prevent illegal speculation on goods to raise prices and destabilize the market while strictly controlling mineral exploitation, iron and steel production, and trading in substandard poultry products and cosmetics.

In addition, it is necessary to introduce the laws to every business and consumers, said Mr. Dung.