Asia Development Bank’s Office of Anticorruption and Integrity (OAI) sanctioned 90 companies and individuals for integrity violations in 2015, more than double the 40 sanctioned the previous year.
Those are data from OAI’s Annual Report reflecting ADB’s expanded efforts to encouraging staff and partners to tell on corrupt activities.
“Corruption is a direct threat to better lives for millions of poor citizens in our region. It can only be combated by all development stakeholders taking an unequivocal stand that any transgression, no matter how big or small, is unacceptable,” said OAI Head Clare Wee. “OAI stepped up efforts and resources in 2015 to raise awareness on corruption in all its forms, and the rise in complaints reflects increased willingness to report actions that cross the line.”
In 2016, OAI expects that the growth in ADB’s nonsovereign and cofinancing operations will increase the requests for integrity due diligence advice.
OAI will also roll out a technical assistance project to raise the capacity of financial institutions in ADB’s developing member countries to meet global regulations on antimoney laundering and the financing of terrorism.
OAI will also upgrade this year its reinstatement procedures for sanctioned companies and individuals aiming to become eligible for future ADB projects.
The objective of the upgrade is ensuring that santioned companies take the necessary anticorruption compliance actions to prevent any recurrence of violations.
Complaints grew a 18% in 2015
OAI’s 2015 Annual Report notes that 106 entities were also crossdebarred in 2015 in line with a crossdebarment agreement with four other multilateral development banks. This is a slight growth from the 99 firms and individuals crossdebarred in 2014. Complaints received in 2015 climbed 18% yearonyear to a record 285.
Rise in integrity due diligence advices in the private sector
OAI also increased its support for ADB’s Private Sector Operations Department through due diligence advice.
OAI provided integrity due diligence advice to 346 companies and individuals (100% rise from 2014).
The integrity due diligence advisory function was put in place 4 years ago due to a rise in ADB’s equity investments, lending, and development initiatives in the private sector.
Six reviews of procurement procedures
OAI also carried out six reviews of project procurement procedures in 2015, up from four in 2014, and issued simplified checklists to help staff and agencies identify and prevent integrity breaches in procuring goods and services.
Image over the headline.- © ADB
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