8/04/2010 - OECD Secretary-General Angel Gurría today welcomed the passage into law of the UK Bribery Bill.

 

“The Bill’s passage into law with such broad support is a very welcome development,” said OECD Secretary-General Angel Gurría. “The OECD has highlighted the key role its members must play in the global fight against foreign bribery. With these tougher laws, the UK is now well placed to help lead this fight.”

 

“I’m pleased that the UK has made such progress,” said Mark Pieth, Chair of the OECD Working Group on Bribery. “It sends out a strong message of its commitment to fight against bribery and helps create a level playing field for firms competing internationally.”

 

The OECD is a global leader in the fight against foreign bribery. Its Convention on Combating Bribery of Foreign Public Officials in International Business Transactions has been in force for 10 years. Through the Convention, 38 countries - including the 30 OECD member countries and Argentina, Brazil, Bulgaria, Chile, Estonia, Israel, Slovenia and South Africa - have made it illegal to bribe public officials in international business deals.

For further information on the OECD’s work on corruption and the Anti-Bribery Convention, visit www.oecd.org/daf/nocorruption