Deputy Prime Minister Truong Hoa Binh has ordered ministries to constantly review laws and regulations on trading to consolidate the legal framework for the fight against fake goods.

Addressing a meeting on the Day against Counterfeit Goods in Ha Noi on Wednesday, the Deputy PM also urged customs and border guard forces to intensify efforts to prevent the import of such goods through both official and unofficial channels.

Businesses should co-operate with relevant agencies in market management, improve their own distribution networks and get ready to provide information to law enforcement forces in order to assist with the detection and punishment of violations, he said.

He requested the Viet Nam Association for Anti-counterfeiting and Trademark Protection (VATAP) to contribute feedback and recommendations to the process of building regulations in the field. However, smuggling, trade fraud and counterfeit goods are still rampant, causing great concern in society.

Deputy Minister of Industry and Trade, Tran Quoc Khanh, also hailed the achievements of authorities and businesses in preventing and controlling trading of counterfeit and poor quality goods as well as their efforts in building and protecting brand names.

However, Khanh said the results had not met requirements and targets of the Government and consumers. The market in general and companies and consumers in particular still faced the threat of fake goods and intellectual property right violations, especially goods relating to food safety, health, environment and breeding in the agricultural sector.

He asked relevant agencies to promote the fight against counterfeit goods and intellectual property right violations. Industry and trade should focus on key markets and products such as fertilisers, functional food and cosmetics to make clear changes in the future.

In addition, the deputy minister asked for enhanced co-operation among authorities with associations, businesses, media and consumers to put up an effective fight against the issues.

“Businesses should be more active in joining the fight, especially in market control, distribution systems and collecting information to support authorities discovering and resolving the violations,” he added.

According to Dam Thanh The, Standing Office Chief of the National Steering Committee for Combating Against Smuggling, Commercial Frauds and Counterfeit Goods, the market management force has carried out 145,000 inspections so far this year and detected 88,000 cases of trading and transport of counterfeit goods. — VNS