(VEN) - Corruption is a problem confronted by every country in the world. In different nations, it comes in different forms. However, one fact remains consistent, corruption damages development. Moreover, corruption has an adverse impact on the poor, diverts development investment, and weakens the government's ability to provide basic services. It also fosters inequality.
One of the major reasons corruption exists is inconsistency and non-transparency. Sweden's Ambassador to Vietnam Rolf Bergman commented that corruption is a major threat to economic development in Vietnam. Anti-corruption tactics must be systematic and have the participation and support of businesses, government and the people.
In Vietnam's case, the government is taking significant steps toward fighting corruption; the country's anti-corruption strategy through 2020 points out the need to utilize all political/social forces to take part in anti-corruption action. Among them, the Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry (VCCI) should represent the business community in terms of their participation.
To facilitate business and get them together to improve consistency, transparency and sustainability, the VCCI launched an ITBI project on January 27, 2010 to do just that. Specific goals are to (1) call on domestic and foreign businesses in Vietnam to take action to improve the business environment; (2) create consistency in anti-corruption tactics and methods; (3) improve the understanding among business leaders of the need to improve business practices; (4) create standards to establish a framework for responsible business; (5) cooperate with related government agencies to curb conditions that would lead to increased corruption; and (6) propose standards and legal/administrative regulations.
Experts say the business community can have a significant impact on sustainable socioeconomic development if they take action and cooperate with the government and social organizations to improve business practices, get concerned with improving consistency and transparency in business relations and take the initiative in joining with governmental agencies to struggle against corruption and set new standards/practices in the state and business sectors.
For a developing country like Vietnam, consistency and transparency in business relations is necessary for the economy to grow in a healthy and sustainable manner. Erdal Elver, Chairman and General Director of Siemens Vietnam Co., Ltd., shared his company's experience that consistency and transparency in business has helped the company not only improve its reputation and overcome difficulties toward optimizing its business in Vietnam, but also contributed to anti-corruption.
He said that four years ago (in 2006) Siemens experienced the worst time in its 100-year development history and the business went seriously downhill, just because several Siemens managers violated internal regulations and were involved in corrupt business practices.
To restore its reputation and development momentum, Siemens launched a requirement program in 2007 to 'clean up' the company and make operations fully transparent. The company regularly updated policies, strengthened supervision and required managers and staff to follow development policies in an environment of fair competition. Siemens dealt with those who violated the business rules or the law or lent a hand to corruptors seriously and the company regularly carried out independent investigations to discover and solve potential violations in a timely manner. Thanks to this, Siemens got through the recession and continues to grow strong even in this time of global economic crisis.
Erdal Elver said that the experience of a foreign investment business working fairly well in Vietnam, Siemens is willing to share his company's experiences with and support the VCCI (including financial assistance) in successfully developing the ITBI project./.
Ngoc Quynh
|