21/06/2012 - More than twelve years after making foreign bribery a crime, Sweden needs to make much greater efforts to actively enforce its anti-bribery legislation, according to a new OECD report. Despite a number of allegations against Swedish companies, Sweden has prosecuted only one case in 2004 and has never proceeded against a company for foreign bribery. Furthermore, the OECD Working Group on Bribery cites a need for greater support and awareness in the Swedish public for foreign bribery enforcement. The OECD Working Group on Bribery has just completed its report on Sweden’s application of the Convention of Combating Bribery of Foreign Public Officials in International Business Transactions and related instruments. The report recommends a follow-up evaluation, including a written report in 6 months and another in one year.
The report also highlights positive aspects of Sweden’s efforts to fight foreign bribery. Sweden has recently taken steps to strengthen its anti-bribery legislative framework and created the Anti-Corruption Police Unit. Sweden’s Tax Administration is making important efforts to detect and report foreign bribery. Sweden has also assisted other countries with their foreign bribery investigations. The Working Group on Bribery – made up of the 34 OECD Member countries plus Argentina, Brazil, Bulgaria, Colombia, Russia and South Africa – adopted report on Sweden in its third phase of monitoring implementation of the OECD Anti-Bribery Convention. |
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