Well. I would like to make myself clear that I am not planning to discuss about clean technology, global warming, carbon emission, etc. But I would like to share some thoughts on higher levels of different kind of environmental pollution.

Recently International Chamber of Commerce has teamed up with Transparency International, United Nations Global Compact and World Economic Forum Partnering Against Corruption initiative to raise awareness of how companies can better counter or fight corruption.

Corruption is the biggest obstacle to development and economic growth. It is considered to be a major (business?) risk. It not only attacks the moral fiber of our society and the integrity of our markets, it also conflicts with the core principles of best business practices.

To promote and practice honesty, professionalism, ethical behaviour and integrity with staff, clients and supply chain, corruption should be denied all entry into the business.

By countering corruption, business can reduce the cost of delivering business, attract investments from ethically oriented investors, attract and retain highly principled employees, improving employee morale, obtain a competitive advantage of becoming the preferred choice of ethically concerned customers and consumers and qualify for reduced legal sanctions in increasing number of jurisdictions all over the world. Any collective action by business will enable in the creation of level playing field, improve public trust in business and influence future laws and regulation.

By not focusing on fighting corruption, the business may be exposed to criminal prosecution and persecution, exclusion from bidding processes, ‘casino’ risk, damage to reputation, brand value and share price, tougher fight for talent when hiring new employees, regulatory censure and cost of corrective action and possible fines. It may also result in missed business opportunities.

Hence fight against corruption is imperative. Business all over the world must unite and take a stand against corruption as it is no longer enough and sufficient to simply be against corruption or other unethical business practices. Business interest lies in the widest possible commitment and inclusion to anti corruption principles and practices. Only then corruption can be eradicated.

While these are ideally required, what is the ground level reality today? Corruption has become a part of business life and hence it is going to be very difficult to eradicate it totally. However, one can make a simple beginning by recognizing that corruption does impact business and decisions. It adds to business costs and even after coughing up corruption levy, the quality and delivery is not assured. Thus, corruption is simply the abuse of power for private gain.

Highly recommended anti-corruption measures would include

- Recognize corruption affects business and impacts decisions

- Demonstrate leadership by implementing effective anti corruption programmes

- Design detailed policies on kickbacks, extortion, protection money, facilitation payments, conflicts of interest, gifts and hospitality, fraud and money laundering and political and charitable contributions

- Outline frameworks for risk assessment, training, sanctions, whistle blowing, continuous internal self review and external reporting

- Share experiences, learn from peers and partner with other stakeholders and contributing to level playing field

We all agree corruption is the worst form of pollutant. Just like cancer to human beings, corruption will only kill business. - In the long run. Let us avoid it – as far as possible and at all costs.

Yes. Definitely clean business – corruption free business - is good business.

NB: When we actually deal with real life situations, we are always faced with conflicts of interests. The other day, I was asked by our family doctor to procure blood from a local blood bank in the early hours of one fine morning when my uncle was operated. The guy manning the blood bank desk was asking for three times the normal price. Though I wanted to fight it out, I could not as my uncle was at grave risk.