Anti-fraud council set up in Ha Noi

A council responsible for warning and preventing trade fraud, especially in the area of certificates of origin (C/O), made its debut yesterday in Ha Noi.

The past few years had seen an increasing amount of C/O fraud, especially in products which have been subject to anti-dumping tariffs, said the council chairwoman Tran Thi Thu Huong.

The council, under the Viet Nam of Chamber of Commerce and Industry (VCCI), would issue early warnings about suspected C/O fraud, Huong said.

It would work with companies via industry associations, she said, adding that updated information about current trade fraud cases and consultation for specific sectors and export markets as well as training courses would also be provided.

Enterprises should take caution when signing commercial and investment co-operation contracts with partners for products likely to be subject to anti-dumping tariffs, said VCCI vice chairman Pham Gia Tuc.

Council members included representatives from the VCCI, the Ministry of Industry and Trade’s Competition Administration Department, the Ministry of Planning and Investment and the General Department of Customs.

More than 11,000 incidents of fake and smuggled goods as well as trade fraud were detected in the capital in the first half of this year, according to the municipal Anti-Smuggling Steering Committee 127.

The completed prosecution of about 5,500 offences resulted in fines totalling VND531 billion (US$28 million). — VNS

Tags: Vietnam Anti-fraud council