On the occasion of the “Launch of the integrity and transparency in business initiative for Vietnam” (ITBI), Vietnam Business Forum interviewed Mr Nguyen Quang Vinh, Deputy Director, Office of Businesses for Sustainable Development, VCCI, the organizer of the project.
Why does VCCI develop and implement this project?
By the imitative of VCCI, Wales Business Forum – a VCCI partner in the past 10 years for social responsibility and anti-corruption, together with international transparency organization, embassies of Sweden and UK in Vietnam, Government Inspectorate and related authorities, VCCI and others organized two seminars in 2008 to get the views of businesses on transparency and integrity in business relations. Based on those views, VCCI develops a three-year programme “Launch of the integrity and transparency in business initiative for Vietnam – ITBI” to increase the participation and influence of businesses in the fight against corruption – a priority in the government agenda.
As anti-corruption is a global fight, VCCI together with international organizations is trying to enhance the role of business community to say No to corruption. It is meaningful not only in Vietnam but also in the region and the world over. Corruption causes great losses to the economy and the people, especially the poor. The fight against corruption can be a long journey but it must begin now before it is too late.
What is the role of international organizations in the project?
It is a joint initiative of Vietnam and international organizations but VCCI is the co-coordinator. Foreign countries and organizations play an important role in consulting and providing technical assistance such as research, training and improving knowledge and international cooperation on anti-corruption
Participants in the project are mainly businesses with focus on their problems in the fight against corruption, sectors ridden with corruption, so as to warn and recommend businesses to avoid immoral or corruption practices. In later stage, the project will conduct a general study and priorities in the fight against corruption.
Another important role that international organizations can play is to upgrade the knowledge of businesses. Most of Vietnamese businesses are small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) and have little knowledge on anti-corruption. Therefore, the project will organize series of conferences and seminars on different subjects of corruption, mobilizing various social resources, especially mass media, to update information and increase public education on the fight against corruption.
The project will also highlight the influence of businesses in saying No to corruption, increasing awareness of their important role. Then, the project will upgrade their capacity in the fight against corruption in their own enterprises. VCCI is responsible for the training, an important job. International practice and knowledge have been processed to be suitable to the conditions in Vietnam. The project will coordinated with concerned authorities to organize training courses for Vietnamese SMEs to increase their capacity in the fight against corruption.
VCCI has also attained the cooperation of big companies and trans-national corporations to take part in the training, sharing their experiences with Vietnamese SMEs.
What are the conditions and benefits of businesses to participate in the project?
There is no conditions whatever for businesses to participate in the project. They can be from any economic sector, without discrimination on ownership, size and can participate directly or indirectly through their business associations.
As the project is the one of its kind in Vietnam, businesses or business associations participating in the project will be recognized as exemplary members with good image in the eyes of both partners and the society. Their competitiveness, reputation and market share will be improved accordingly. Nowadays, clean business, clean growth have been highly appreciated. Saying “No” to corruption, businesses will be regarded as clean business with high sense of morality, meeting the expectation of partners and consumers.
How can VCCI assist businesses to participate in the project?
VCCI is a business-oriented organization, protecting the interests of businesses. Participating in the project, businesses will get full assistance free of charge from VCCI. Besides this project, VCCI has also implemented series of projects assisting businesses such as Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR). Annually, VCCI organized CSR awards. This year, the awards will honour businesses on labour and environment. Next year, it can be on anti-corruption. Those activities will also encourage businesses to participate in the sustainable business development.
As it is a three-year project, do you envisage a long-term plan for anti-corruption?
While developing this project (Phase 1 in 2010-2012), VCCI also envisages the sustainability of the project. To this end, concerned parties and Vietnamese businesses must be fully aware of the benefit of the project. Thereby, VCCI can mobilize human and financial resources for businesses without depending too much on assistance from international organizations or other sources. In the coming years, VCCI will mobilize assistance from Vietnamese companies and multi-national companies operating in Vietnam to ensure sustainability of the project. The project will also help VCCI implement the national strategy launched by the government against corruption until 2020.
Reported by Quynh Chi
Vietnamese
