 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
Russian, Chinese firms most likely to offer bribes: NGO
Berlin (AFP) Dec 9, 2008 Russian, Chinese, and Mexican firms are most likely to offer bribes when doing business abroad, the anti-graft watchdog Transparency International said in a report out Tuesday. In a survey of 22 leading international and regional exporting countries, Russian firms ranked as most likely to resort to bribery, scoring 5.9 out of a very clean 10, the non-governmental organisation said. The 2008 Bribe Payers Index also suggested that firms from China (6.5), Mexico (6.6), and India (6.8) were next on the list of countries most likely to offer graft. Berlin-based Transparency International said Belgium and Canada (8.8) shared first place for firms least likely to offer bribes abroad. The Netherlands and Switzerland shared third place, each with a score of 8.7. They were followed by Germany, Britain, and Japan, all three with 8.6, Australia (8.5), and France and Singapore, both with 8.1. In addition, companies involved in public works and construction, along with those dealing in real estate, oil and gas, heavy manufacturing and mining were seen as most likely to offer bribes to public officials. The cleanest sectors, in terms of bribery, were identified as information technology, fisheries, along with banking and finance. But banking and finance firms were seen as more likely than many to seek to exert undue influence on government policies. Transparency Chair Huguette Labelle said the index provided evidence "that a number of companies from major exporting countries still use bribery to win business abroad, despite awareness of its damaging impact on corporate reputations and ordinary communities." It is vital that governments work harder to enforce existing laws and that companies adopt effective anti-bribery programmes, Labelle said in a statement. The 2008 index surveyed 22 countries involved in 75 percent of total exports worldwide. Answers were gathered from 2,742 senior business executives from companies in 26 developed and developing countries, chosen for their volume of imports and direct foreign investments. Related Links The Military Industrial Complex at SpaceWar.com Learn about the Superpowers of the 21st Century at SpaceWar.com
Peru's call for military spending cut 'unacceptable': Chile
Santiago (AFP) Dec 8, 2008A call by Peru that Chile scrap a law linking military spending to copper revenues is "unacceptable" interference in sovereign affairs, Chile's government said Monday. |
|
|
| The content herein, unless otherwise known to be public domain, are Copyright Space.TV Corporation. AFP and UPI Wire Stories are copyright Agence France-Presse and United Press International. ESA Portal Reports are copyright European Space Agency. All NASA sourced material is public domain. Additional copyrights may apply in whole or part to other bona fide parties. Advertising does not imply endorsement, agreement or approval of any opinions, statements or information provided by Space.TV Corp on any Web page published or hosted by Space.TV Corp. Privacy Statement |
