Phuc, who is head of the National SteeringCommittee on the Prevention and Control of Smuggling, Trade Fraud andFake Commodities, made the request at a working session with the VietnamCustoms general department in Hanoi on July 21.
He pointed to challenges the customs sector is facing, including theincreasing complexity of violation cases, legal loopholes and thedegradation of a number of customs officials.
The Deputy PM also stressed the necessity to reform institutions,increase the effectiveness of coordination between relevant ministries,sectors and agencies.
During the workingsession, members of the steering committee focused on difficulties facedby different sectors and localities and measures to deal with them.
Vice President of the Vietnam Fatherland Front LeBa Trinh said that it is necessary to prevent fake products fromentering the country right at border gates, while boosting awarenesscampaigns on the negative impacts of smuggling on the economy.
In the first half of this year, the customs sector uncovered nearly9,000 cases involving smuggling, trade frauds and counterfeits, seizinggoods worth nearly 170 billion VND (8 million USD).-VNA