Box 3: Focus on Russia Since 2009, Russian officials have been working with the OECD Working Group on Bribery to strengthen Russia’s legal framework against bribery of foreign public officials in international business transactions. Legislation passed in Russia in May 2011 criminalises foreign bribery with monetary sanctions for companies and individuals who bribe foreign public officials. Russia was formally invited to join the convention at the 50th anniversary of the OECD in May 2011.
“The position of Russian business in the 2011 Bribe Payers Index is not of any surprise since Russia in general is still struggling to find the proper way to confront systemic corruption. It would be strange to expect business to do better than public office does. Unfortunately, as far as the spread of corruption is concerned, there are no islands of integrity in Russian public and business life. But there is hope that the strict enforcement of new national anti-corruption legislation and compliance with international commitments will help to change this situation in the coming years.” Elena Panfilova, Director, Center for Anti-Corruption Research and Initiative Transparency International Russia
Bribe Payers Index 2011
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