Maravi

Multi-national companies still involved in bribes, observes Levy

Multi-national companies still involved in bribes, observes Levy
By Joan Chirwa and Kabanda Chulu
Sunday December 09, 2007 [03:00]

MULTI-NATIONAL companies are still taking bribery as part of their cost of doing business, President Levy Mwanawasa has observed. And Zambia Business Forum (ZBF) chief executive officer Reginald Mfula has said there is need for the private sector to play an important role in the fight against corruption in the country.

In his message to mark the commemoration of the United Nations Anti-Corruption Day which falls today, President Mwanawasa stated that bribery was and is still part of the cost of doing business for multi-national companies worldwide.

“As recently as 10 years ago, corruption was only whispered about. Few corruption cases were brought to trial,” President Mwanawasa stated. “Some countries were ruled by strong men who looted the entire state treasury and got away with it.

But in the recent past, there are remarkable efforts being made to make corruption intolerable.”

President Mwanawasa further stated that politicians and chief executives were being prosecuted while corrupt governments were being voted out of office.

“If they refuse to go, they are being thrown out. Public tolerance of corruption is wearing thin,” President Mwanawasa stated.

“The United Nations Convention Against Corruption is becoming a leading indicator of governments’ willingness to address corruption seriously.

As the world’s global anti-corruption instrument, the United Nations Convention Against Corruption is a powerful tool for citizens who expect a clean government, shareholders who demand transparency and development partners who do not want their money wasted.”

The World Bank estimates that over US $1 trillion is paid in bribes worldwide, noting that this drained resources from much-needed investment in health, education, infrastructure and other basic services.

Various studies undertaken worldwide have provided statistics that point to a strong correlation between corrupt practices and poverty.
And Mfula in his message ahead of the United Nations Anti-Corruption day that has coincided with the launch of ZBF’s anti-corruption campaigns, challenged the private sector to develop keen interest in working alongside the government to stop the vice.

“Corruption has a demand side and a supply side and very often we blame corruption on government or those receiving bribes, but who pays bribes and how can we motivate those people to stop?” Mfula asked. “Actually, the private sector has a critical role to play in the fight against corruption in the country and they should work alongside the government in order to stop the vice and in this regard, ZBF has embarked on anti-corruption campaigns that will be broadcasted on television and radio.”

He said the campaign was aimed at bringing government and businesses together so that both sides could understand the challenges they face and the efforts needed to stop corruption.

“At the end of the day we want everyone to understand that corruption can be stopped, but it takes all parties working together to do so,” said Mfula.

Labels: CORPORATIONS, CORRUPTION, MWANAWASA

posted by MrK @ 6:48 AM