This is a key recommendation of the study “Reviewing the Legal Provisions On Anti-corruption for Non-state Sector and Proposal for a Guideline for Non-state Enterprises and Social Organizations in Viet Nam” presented at a workshop in Ha Noi on July 28th 2020, organized by the Government Inspectorate of Viet Nam (GIV), Viet Nam Chamber of Commerce and Industry (VCCI), United Nations Development Program (UNDP), and the UK Embassy in Ha Noi.
Photo: UNDP
Corruption has been consistently cited as one of the most important obstacles to doing business in the region because it increases the cost of doing business, distorts the competitive environment, limits opportunities for investment and widens the growing social inequalities. According to the Viet Nam Provincial Competitiveness Indexes in recent years, more than half of the companies surveyed reported paying “informal charges”.
The new 2018 Anti – Corruption Law came into effect on the 1st of July 2019. Decree 59/2019/ND-CP was then adopted to guide the implementation of the Anti-Corruption Law. For the first time, the Law includes a whole new chapter on anti-corruption in non-state enterprises and organizations.
Speaking at the workshop, Mr. Nguyen Quang Vinh, General Secretary of VCCI, emphasized: “Anti-corruption is a collective effort of all parties, including the Government, business community, social organizations, international donors, the press and the whole society. With this joint effort, we believe that we can combat corruption, and promote responsible business practices, transparency and integrity, thus moving towards achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and successully implementing the socio-economic development plan ”.
Through this report, UNDP has evaluated the anti-corruption legislation in the non-state sector provided in the Law and Decree, as well as analyzed experience of other countries in effectively implementing the laws and related guidelines. This report also provides draft guidelines for businesses and organizations in the non-state sector to implement the Anti-Corruption Law, thus building a healthy and non-corruption business culture.
In her opening remarks, UNDP Deputy Resident Representative in Viet Nam Ms. Sitara Syed applauded Viet Nam for expanding the scope of the Anti-Corruption Law to the non-state sector. “This demonstrated the intention of the Vietnamese Government to combat corruption in all areas to meet the requirements of the UN Convention against Corruption, which Viet Nam ratified in 2009,” she said. “Now, the implementation of the Law requires strong efforts not only on part of the Government but also on the part of companies”.
Participants in the workshop discussed the implementation of the current provisions of domestic and international laws on preventining corruption in non-state enterprises and organizations. They also shared their experiences in promoting business integrity of non-state enterprises and social organizations in both domestic and international markets, particularly internal code of conduct of the enterprises.
Ms Nguyễn Vân Trang, Head of Development Programmes – Prosperity Fund, British Embassy in Ha Noi said: “Tackling corruption and increasing transparency are very important for Viet Nam to improve its business environment. This is more important than ever before as Viet Nam is in a good position to take advantages of supply chain relocation. The British Embassy has been a long-term partner with Viet Nam on this issue and very happy to continue the partnership with the Government Inspectorate, VCCI and UNDP to enable changes to support economic growth in Viet Nam and in the region”.
Participants in the workshop are rinspectorate leaders of ministries, branches and localities; representatives of departments, agencies and units under the Government Inspectorate; representatives of central agencies and ministries such as the Supreme People’s Procuracy, the Supreme People's Court, the Ministry of Industry and Trade, the Ministry of Public Security, representatives of UNDP, the UK Embassy in Ha Noi, VCCI and a number of business associations, Viet Nam business forums,domestic and foreign enterprises in Viet Nam, as well as representatives of press agencies and relevant agencies.
The workshop is one of the key activities of the Regional Project "Promoting Fair Business Environment in ASEAN", funded by the UK Prosperity Fund for Southeast Asia under the Economic Reform Program, implemented by UNDP in collaboration with the British Government from 2018 to 2021 to support the improvement of dispute resolution mechanisms and build a fair business environment in Viet Nam./.