November 02, 2013
Businesses complain that corruption is one of the three most headache-causing problems they are facing after price hikes and falling revenue.
According to surveys on corruption faced by local enterprises conducted by the World Bank and the Government Inspectorate between 2007 and 2012, enterprises have seen no signs of corruption abating and they think that the situation has become more widespread.
However, the surveys also found that Vietnamese enterprises were believed to have played an active role in giving bribes to corrupt officials. More than 75% of the surveyed enterprises said they have given bribes despite not being suggested to do so, 59% informed they had handed gifts or money to State officials while 63% replied that they gave money so that their business troubles would be solved quickly.
The surveys were presented at a seminar held in HCMC last week by the Government Inspectorate, the Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the British Embassy in Vietnam.
The Government Inspectorate noted the corruption remains a critical issue despite inspectors, auditors and prosecutors taking drastic measures to detect corrupt acts.
In his 2013 anti-corruption report presented at the National Assembly session last week, Inspector General Huynh Phong Tranh said that corruption is still very serious and takes place in many localities, fields and levels. Corruption and wastage occur in land use and management at some State-owned corporations, causing huge economic losses and drawing public criticism, Tranh said.
Earlier, local voters via the Central Committee of the Vietnam Fatherland Front expressed concerns over corruption fighting and prevention, saying that detection efforts of corrupt acts are still weak. They have urged law enforcement forces to speed up inspection and investigation into critical corruption cases.