“Sharing experience in implementing integrity and transparency in business” is the theme of a recent roundtable meeting held in the framework of the Integrity and Transparency in Business Initiative for Vietnam (ITBI) project in Hanoi.
ITBI is a business-led and locally managed initiative designed to help Vietnamese and foreign businesses operating in Vietnam cooperate in ensuring sustainable improvement integrity and transparency, thus facilitating business activities in Vietnam. The project was officially launched in January 2010 by the Office for Business Sustainable Development (SDforB) under the VCCI in collaboration with related authorities and businesses and under the technical support from international institutions like Transparency International (TI), International Business Leaders Forum (IBLF), and a group of businesses. The project has received financial support from the Swedish Embassy, the British Embassy in Hanoi and businesses like Baker&McKenzie, Ericsson Vietnam and Siemens AG.
In each workshop, ITBI always aims to raise awareness of harmful effects of corruption on business transactions as well as the importance of integrity and transparency to mobilise the Vietnamese business community to work together to improve the business environment and to build consensus over corruption prevention.
The contents of the workshop on “Sharing experience in implementing integrity and transparency in business” not only looked into corruption as a general social problem between businesses and public agencies but also a concern among businesses. Keynote speaker Vu Tien Vinh, Legal and Compliance Manager at ABB Vietnam Company, presented and shared ABB’s experiences in building and carrying out its global integrity and transparency programmes integrated into its business process for a long time.
Delivering a speech to the meeting, Mr Nguyen Quang Vinh, Director of the Office for Business Sustainable Development of VCCI, said: “ITBI will continue to organise workshops on sharing experiences in exercising integrity and transparency in business, introducing practices, codes of conduct and the lessons from multinational companies like ABB, Siemens, and Intel. Hopefully, with the cooperation of businesses, ITBI will be able to better carry out researches, surveys and information collecting activities, etc. to build tools, instructive documents and training programmes, build codes of conduct on integrity and transparency for business, and finally provide a framework for companies to do business responsibly, eradicate all conditions that may lead to an increase in corruption, and put forth proposals and recommendations concerning legal and administrative regulations.”
Also at the meeting, representatives from some companies and business associations expressed their deep concerns about difficulties in applying transparency in some areas like access to banking credits, customs, real estate, tendering and procurement while emphasising the necessity and importance of the war against corruption in order to build the Vietnam’s economy towards sustainable development and successfully implement international rules.
On the sidelines of the workshop, reporter Dang Yen interviewed Mr Vu Tien Vinh, Legal and Compliance Manager of ABB Vietnam Company, on the above topic.
How is the meaning of integrity and transparency in business, particularly in Vietnam’s business environment?
Integrity and transparency are very important factors for organisations and businesses to reduce unreasonable costs, not to waste time on non-transparent transactions, create the culture of compliance, and respect transparency in business.
Does ABB meet any difficulties in such policies as tax, customs and employment while carrying out its global integrity and transparency programmes?
ABB has been in Vietnam since 1993. Although Vietnam’s policies involved in tax and customs are very troublesome, complex and difficult for ABB, it still absolutely abides by the regulations of the group and the laws of Vietnam by complying with requirements of competent authorities and stick to the group’s provisions on bribery.
In addition, ABB Vietnam tries to build a stable, modern working environment and apply appropriate treatment mechanisms in relation to its peers in Vietnam. This ensures that ABB employees will not be affected by external factors when they do their jobs, helping them better work under the regulations of the group and the laws of Vietnam.
Does ABB meet difficulties in convincing its Vietnamese partners to follow ABB’s integrity rules? How will ABB do about their violations?
With suppliers in Vietnam, ABB always delivers a very clear message about ABB’s business ethics and business transparency regulations. Any violation may give rise to the termination of contract with ABB.
What message does ABB want to convey to businesses operating in Vietnam?
The message that ABB wants to send to businesses operating in Vietnam is a "zero tolerance" for acts of corruption and bribery. In business operations, we do not need unethical behaviours. Implementing transparency means respecting oneself and respecting partners.
And finally, what is your opinion about the direction and effectiveness of ITBI in Vietnam?
This is really a good initiative as it initially helps businesses and organisations access transparency in all activities. The first step is always the hardest and the project’s approach is a right step to make businesses more confident in carrying out and applying integrity and transparency in their activities.
This column is brought to you by Integrity and Transparency in Business Initiative for Vietnam (ITBI) project.
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