Anti-corruption movement gains momentum

According to a survey of 828 directors and business leaders during August-December 2015, 44 per cent had either high or very high confidence that corruption can be eradicated in the future, up from 35 per cent in the previous poll conducted in 2013.  Meanwhile, only 12 per cent estimated that corruption drove operating cost higher by more than 20 per cent, down sharply from 52 per cent of respondents in 2013 survey, indicating continuous improvement in anti-corruption efforts over the past two years. 

The study also indicated higher level of awareness and alert by business leaders regarding their roles in anti-corruption efforts.  Some 85 per cent of respondents agreed that the private sector has either active or very active roles in tackling corruption, up from 72 per cent in 2013 poll, while 65 per cent said they have firm intention to co-operate in anti-corruption campaign while  33 per cent said they are ready to co-operate should there be any workable plan. 

Without corruption, some 79 per cent of respondents expected at least 10 per cent addition to the country’s GDP growth rate.  Among benefit they expected to get from eradication of corruption were lower business cost (27 per cent), competitiveness improvement and larger sales (19 per cent), and more competition on product quality (16 per cent).