Many Chinese violate trade law

At a conference on raising awareness about laws governing foreign trade in Vietnam, held by the Ministry of Industry and Trade (MIT) in Nha Trang on September 12, the leaders of 14 local market management departments from the central and highlands regions, said that it is difficult to monitor and manage these activities.

According to the MIT, the foreign traders, especially Chinese traders have been buying massive amount of agriculture products since May last year. 

Many of the traders do not have commercial licenses in Vietnam, but continue to buy up a number of products in many provinces, such as litchis from Bac Giang, tea from Tuyen Quang and Thai Nguyen, bees from Ha Tinh and crabs from Ca Mau. 

Nguyen Dang Khoa, legal head of the Market Management Department said that the law clearly lays out penalties for illegal trade by foreign firms. These include confiscation of goods and fines. 

However many of the firms provide employment to locals, which has caused some difficulties for enforcement agencies. Khoa suggested that the immigration authorities work in closer co-operation with police to catch violating entities or individuals. 

Many foreign traders have fled before authorities could come to levy fines, leaving the Market Management Department holding evidence they cannot confiscate. 

Pham Van Huu, deputy head of Khanh Hoa Province's Department of Market Management, said, "We discovered that one company in HCMC was producing aqua-products in Cam Ranh Bay. Although the buyers are foreign, the management and technicians are Vietnamese so we are unable to deal with them properly. When we hear reports of firms selling to foreign traders, we monitor their activities until we can catch them in a violation." 

Quang Ngai Province's Department of Market Management echoed the same difficulties. "Many traders use tourist visas and hire Vietnamese traders to do business on their behalf. So far we have only been able to fine two traders for illegal activity." 

He said the job would be easier if locals stop helping the illegal traders. "We should raise awareness about laws and long-term benefits rather than immediate profits."

Colonel Le Thai Ngoc, deputy head of the Border Guard High Command, said, "The current management and co-ordination system is inefficient. Localities should consult with us when setting up coastal economic zones to ensure border and island security. However, since 2011, only three out of 15 provinces, and only 10 out of 233 enterprises seek consult with the border guard for their projects. Many localities made the excuse that they couldn't divulge all the pertinent business information because they wanted to create favourable conditions for economic development."

Source: Dtinews