Russia Caught in Bribes
// Bribegiver index was estimated
Transparency International (TI) is to publish the so-called bribegiver index soon. This index was estimated for 30 leading exporter states. Among the leading countries where companies are most inclined to give bribes to win profitable contracts, TI named Russia, China, India, and Brazil. TI calls on these countries’ governments to legally prohibit their companies to give bribes abroad.
TI estimated the bribegiver index for 30 countries which have the largest share in international trade by polling 11,000 businessmen in 126 countries. Russia, China, India, and Brazil are on the top list of the counties where companies are most inclined to bribe officials to win contracts.
TI suggests the states in question pass domestic laws prohibiting resident companies to give bribes abroad. However, TI itself acknowledges that such laws, adopted in some countries, do not actually work there. The Financial Times is concerned about the invasion of Africa by Russian energy companies and Chinese state enterprises. Yet, Russian experts believe it is absurd to accuse Russian companies of exporting corruption to Africa.
However, the research published by the World Bank and IFC recently points out the considerable decrease in corruption level in a number of African countries, while the presence of Russian business there is not very significant yet. Apparently, TI is more concerned about possible “corruption export” to developed states. Business expansion from Brazil, Russia, India, and China to developed countries looks inevitable.
Alexey Shapovalov, Maksim Shishkin
All the Article in Russian as of Sep. 28, 2006
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