Minister of Industry and Trade Tran Tuan Anh clears up questions raised by National Assembly deputies (Source: VNA)Hanoi (VNA) – Ministerof Industry and Trade Tran Tuan Anh on November 7 cleared up questions raisedby National Assembly deputies regarding the aluminum shipment labeled as made-in-Vietnamproduct and worth 4.3 billion USD to the US by a Chinese-invested business inthe southern province of Ba Ria-Vung Tau.
During a question-and-answer session within the framework of the ongoing eighthplenary session of the NA, he said after learning about the shipment ofaluminum, the Ministry of Industry and Trade (MoIT) coordinated with theMinistry of Finance, the General Department of Vietnam Customs (GDVC) and theMinistry of Public Security to organise investigation teams in early 2017.
However, no wrongdoings were detected in the granting of product-origincertificates at that time, according to the minister.
After the business showed abnormalities in their operation, the MoIT asked theGDVC to intensify supervision over the firm’s export-import activities and thebatch of aluminum in particular. The ministry also asked other competentagencies, especially the Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry, to keep closecontrol of standards while granting certificates of origin for exports to theUS.
Some deputies expressed their concern at the possibility that the enterprisewould turn the batch of aluminum into domestically-consumed goods, Anh saidcompetent agencies will keep a close watch on activities at bonded warehousesand impose import tax on materials in service of consumer goods production athome.
“It is a must to prevent fraud right from the stage of illegal investment,” hesaid, noting that the fight against trade fraud requires coordination amongcompetent agencies.
The MoIT will partner with other relevant ministries and agencies, includingthe Ministry of Justice, to review legal issues in this regard in the time tocome, the minister said./.
VNA
