by VU PHUONG - KIM DUNG 03/07/2025, 10:13

Bac Ninh: Enterprises are the backbone of the economy

Recognizing enterprises as the backbone of the economy, over the years, the Customs and Market Management sectors of Bac Ninh have consistently focused on supporting businesses and resolving difficulties alongside them.

*Facilitating business operations remains the top priority of Regional Customs Branch V.*

Customs Sub-Department of Region V Accompanies Enterprises

To implement its tasks, Customs Sub-Department of Region V closely follows the guidance and directions of the Ministry of Finance, the Department of Customs, the Provincial Party Committee, and the People’s Committees of the relevant provinces regarding key tasks and main solutions for achieving the socio-economic development plan in 2025.

In 2025, the Sub-Department continues to foster unity and collaboration to fulfil its assigned duties. Guided by the motto of accompanying enterprises, the branch swiftly addresses challenges in import-export activities. It has directed efforts toward regular communication and dissemination of new regulations and procedures, simplifying administrative processes, and intensifying anti-smuggling efforts.

Developing a customs-enterprise partnership has contributed to boosting import-export activities and increasing state revenue, particularly in the context of the new organizational model.

On June 20, 2025, Customs Sub-Department of Region V held its first direct dialogue of the year with 300 import-export businesses in Bac Ninh province.

This annual Customs-Business Dialogue affirms the agency’s commitment to listening to business concerns and responding directly to their challenges during customs procedures. This engagement helps businesses understand and comply with legal policies, procedures, and customs processes.

In alignment with the national agenda for innovation and digital transformation under Resolution No. 57-NQ/TW of the Politburo, the Customs Sub-Department is building a smart customs model and deepening its partnership with businesses.

Since the beginning of 2025, the Customs Sub-Department has conducted field visits to enterprises, led by senior officials, and instructed customs units outside of border gates to proactively detect and handle legal violations.

Of note, the Customs Sub-Department is partnering with major enterprises, helping Vietnam integrate into the global semiconductor supply chain.

Currently, Customs Sub-Department of Region V oversees customs operations in five provinces: Bac Ninh, Bac Giang, Thai Nguyen, Tuyen Quang, and Bac Kan, serving over 7,000 businesses.

From early 2025 to June 15, 2025, the Customs Sub-Department processed nearly 1.1 million declarations with a total trade value of $93.6 billion—an increase of 20% in both volume and value compared to the same period in 2024.

Budget revenue exceeded VND 6.6 trillion (48% of the annual target and up 11% year-on-year).

To fulfil its duties, branch leadership emphasizes timely and effective implementation, including weekly monitoring and evaluation of revenue from customs offices outside border gates, and executing plans to meet assigned budget targets.

They are also preparing a detailed implementation plan for Resolution 57-NQ/TW, focusing on partnerships with semiconductor and high-tech companies, aiming to enhance cooperation and digital innovation.

In both the current and coming years, there are increasing demands for improved efficiency and quality of state management, requiring sustained efforts from both customs authorities and the business community.

The proposed merger of Bac Ninh and Bac Giang into a new administrative unit with over 3 million residents, a complete regional transportation network, and strategic connectivity is expected to open significant development opportunities for the region and stimulate broader economic growth.

Strengthening Market Management to Safeguard Economic Security

The Bac Ninh Market Surveillance Sub-Department has implemented a range of comprehensive measures to tighten market control, combat illegal activities, and protect the province's economic security.

Mr. Nguyen Van Hoang, Deputy Director of Bac Ninh Market Surveillance Sub-Department, shared with the Business Forum that in response to increasingly complex market developments and risks of legal violations, the agency has strengthened its inspection and enforcement efforts. These actions aim to protect consumer rights, stabilize the market, and uphold economic security.

Since the beginning of 2025, Bac Ninh Market Surveillance Sub-Department has conducted multiple intensive inspection campaigns targeting smuggling, counterfeit goods, substandard products, food safety violations, and commercial fraud.

Enforcement efforts have been intensified across key sectors including fuel, pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, dietary supplements, electronics, and consumer goods. Intellectual property violations were also a focus. Many smuggling rings were dismantled, and dozens of tons of untraceable goods were seized and destroyed. Ringleaders were prosecuted without exception, serving as a deterrent to future violations.

In the first half of 2025, the branch handled nearly 130 business-related violations. The total amount collected for the state budget, including fines and confiscated goods, reached nearly VND 4.6 billion. Additionally, unusable goods worth approximately VND 2.2 billion were destroyed.

Bac Ninh Market Surveillance Sub-Department worked with the Economic Police Department, Team 4 (PC03) of Bac Ninh Police, and the provincial 389 Steering Committee to inspect various businesses, including:

Dec 16, 2024: Seized 1,854 cigarette packs and 53 bottles of foreign liquor worth VND 91.7 million.
May 20, 2025: Detected 225,647 China-origin goods (detergents, cosmetics, plastic cabinets, fashion items...) and 28,236 unidentified items (shelves, electric cookers, washing machines...).
Apr 23, 2025: Seized over 3 tons of gas (suspected laughing gas/N2O) in 190 metal cylinders worth over VND 600 million.
Apr 25, 2025: Confiscated over 25 tons (212,000 units) of health supplements including vitamins and collagen.
May 28, 2025: Found 1,249 unidentified food additive items and 3,232 smuggled products.
Jun 6, 2025: Seized 4,885 handbags and 3,463 bottles of perfume of unknown origin.

None of these goods had proper documentation. The inspection teams detained the products for investigation and legal processing. Three cases involving goods worth over VND 31 billion were transferred to the Criminal Investigation Department.

Mr. Nguyen Van Hoang emphasized: “Fighting counterfeit goods is not just a professional duty, but a political responsibility to protect law-abiding businesses and consumer rights. Bac Ninh Market Surveillance Sub-Department considers this a core, continuous mission.”

Under the motto "Proactive – Timely – Efficient – Accurate," the branch actively collaborates with businesses, industry associations, and media to educate stakeholders on legal compliance. To date, 740 businesses have signed pledges not to produce or trade counterfeit, smuggled, or substandard goods.

Programs like “Identify Real Goods – Say No to Fakes” have been widely deployed in traditional markets, shopping centers, and industrial zones across the province.

According to Mr. Hoang, sustainable success in anti-counterfeit efforts requires the coordinated participation of all levels and sectors. “We will continue focused and strategic inspections, strictly penalize violations, and encourage the public to report counterfeit activity—contributing to a healthy, fair, and transparent business environment and gradually eliminating counterfeit goods from the market.”