With a two-decade track record of running pioneering anti-corruption programmes for companies in Russia, UK, China and Vietnam, IBLF has launched a programme in India – “Business Standards for Smart Growth” – to help companies curb corruption. The programme has a steering group of senior executives from leading Indian businesses and MNCs with a presence in India.

Aimed at reducing the risk of corruption in business in India, the programme will offer learning and exchange between company leadership and compliance teams. It is focused on companies that want to reduce the risk of corruption in their business and markets. The launch also comes on the back of IBLF’s participation in WEF’s India Economic Summit 2011 and a recent BBC World Debate on corruption that IBLF participated in.

Joe Phelan, IBLF’s Country Director said, “Our starting point is that corruption is inefficient for business, and damaging to growth. The programme is non-political. It allows companies to benchmark the depth of the policies and practices they have in place, and provides a safe place to share challenges and learn from each other.”

Explaining the contextual relevance of this launch, he continued: “It is an important moment in the country. We have recently seen the G20 issue a strong statement on anti-corruption, India ratify the UN Convention against corruption, and the most high-profile corporate corruption case (2G spectrum) begin in the courts.”

The programme’s activities – and hence ways for companies to engage – include:

Benchmark survey
– Establishing current extent of policies, implementation, and monitoring systems
– Companies complete the survey anonymously, but are able to compare their results with the average

High-level dialogues & workshops for companies
– Based on priorities identified in the survey and input of the steering committee
– Dialogues with business, government and regulators: How to create a culture intolerant to corruption?
– CEO and Indian and international government participation