The anti-smuggling and trade fraud work must be focused on key commodities that have great influence on people’s health and the national economy, said Mr Khoan at a national conference in Hanoi on April 13.

He said smugglers often make use of loopholes in policies and mechanisms to capitalise on trading activities, and asked for closer co-ordination between functional agencies, localities and businesses in the fight against this phenomenon.

Reports at the conference showed that despite efforts by functional agencies, the anti-smuggling and trade fraud work has not seen good results. The smuggling of unhygienic foods and counterfeit goods have increased.