On the International Anti-Corruption Day, the World Trade Center Moscow acceded to the Anti-Corruption Charter of the Russian Business. Vladimir Salamatov, WTCM Director General, attached his signature to the document at the extended session of the Coordination Council on Implementation of the Anti-Corruption Charter of the Russian Business within the System of Chambers of Commerce and Industry.

Within the course of the event representatives of the regional chambers of commerce and industry, bodies of power and business associations at a video conference discussed joint participation in counteraction of corruption. Also, the Charter was initialed by the representatives of ExpoCenter Moscow, business associations of Saratov Oblast and Moscow Oblast, NPO Leasing Union, Russia – Belorussia and Russia – Israel Business Councils, League of Credit Unions, etc.

In his address Sergey Katyrin, President of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of the RF, stressed that combating corruption is one of the state policy priorities. Improvement of the situation and enhancement of the national economic growth rate require a better business climate, conditions for national and foreign investors. Thus, the principal objective must be reduction of the corruption-related risks in business, Sergey Katyrin believes.

“One of the most significant measures implemented within the business community is development and implementation of new corruption combat mechanisms, such as the Anti-Corruption Charter of the Russian Business”, Sergey Katyrin stated. Vladimir Salamatov, in his turn, clarified that accession to the Charter was not the only step to be made to rid business of this “disease”. He reminded that the most corruption-prone elements internationally are public shipbuilding, housing construction, commercial premises construction contracts. “Public servants must lead by example and allocate public contracts in a transparent manner”, the WTCM Director General is convinced.

Participants of the session agreed that the systematic approach was of particular importance for counteraction of corruption: chambers of commerce and industry, business circles, bodies of power and the State Prosecutor’s Office, as well as mass media must interact to ensure public awareness and transparency of the processes. Vladimir Salamatov also stressed that victory over corruption requires recognition by organizations, as well as individuals that they do not condone corruption.

WTC Moscow as a major multifunctional business complex of Russia, a leader in establishment of favorable conditions for the business community, cannot stay away from such a significant document. “The World Trade Center acceded to the Charter and we intend to discuss it extensively at our working meetings, to prevent informal relations between our vendors and our procurement, between us and services users. It is a lengthy process but the more people realize that it is vital, the quicker will we arrive at a positive result”, – Vladimir Salamatov stressed.

The Chamber of Commerce and Industry acceded to the Charter more than a year ago and has been successfully implementing a system of measures: in particular, resolution of the issues facing the Russian Chamber, establishment of the experts’ group, work of the special-purpose committee, implementation of the methodological guidelines, Sergey Katyrin explained. “It is important to try to establish a system of training, consulting and support for entrepreneurs. Special effort must be dedicated to the enterprises partially owned by the state”, noted the CCI President.

“We are not resting on our laurels. The Russian Chamber independently developed the methodological guidelines for development and implementation of the measures ensuring reduction of the corruption-related risks for the enterprises and organizations. The guidelines incorporated practical aspects of the anti-corruption procedures development for various scale and industry organizations”, Sergey Katyrin summed up.