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Max Burger-Scheidlin
Many investments and commercial activities in Africa face attempts of corruption in various forms – from petty “speed money” to grande corruption, extortion etc..
Traditional anti-corruption approaches based on the creation of ever more rules, stricter compliance and tougher enforcement have limited effects in weak “rule of law” countries. The true cost of corruption is not only the moneies paid, but the consequences of sub-optimal or wrong decisions.
To make “clean” and profitable business in Africa, Latin Amercia, South Asia etc. you have to go “beyond legal measures and strict compliance”.
Most businessmen, most public officials and politicians you meet there, have been sozialized with corruption from an early age on. In their minds there is nothing wrong with corruption. This is their usual way to survive, to feed their families, to “make it in life”. Since childhood, corruption has been their avenue to success, income, profits.
They simply do not understand the fuss “the West” is making concerning corruption.
What is more, they have nothing to fear! They do not care about legal threats or criminal law. They know “their” local enforcement authority, they probably have bribes “their policeman” in the past. The public prosecutor may be a distant relative, the judge their neighbor – and all are known to be corrupt as well.
As a result, they totally resist the “West’s” “legal & compliance” anti-corruption drive!
However, what most of these presently corrupt do not consider are the long-term challenges!
But in the longer run? How does that hold up over the corrupt person’s lifetime?
To generate income through bribes is relatively easy!
To keep and enjoy the illegally gained assets over a lifetime is very difficult!
The long-term risks of corruption are very high for bribe takers!
ICC Austria’s “commercial approach” to anti-corruption appeals to and works with each person’s self-serving mind set, simply by looking at the long-term challenges and costs a bribe taker will face.
“Maximize your income, your savings, your profits, over your lifetime!” – This requires planning for 20 to 50 years! It requires solid long-term risk management! Hold on to your gains, but for 50 years! Never get extorted! Never sit in prison! Never have your bank accounts blocked, confiscated!
If you have made only “clean” money, it is easy to keep your savings and investments safe!
In addition, most corrupt people do not consider the consequences of corruption for their own communities – and indirectly their own personal income potential, and those of their sons and daughters, who will have reduced salaries and income opportunities:
Therefore, ICC Austria’s key headline reads:
Read more on the ICC Austria Anti-Corruption service
Contact:
ICC Austria - Internationale Handelskammer
• Dr. Max Burger-Scheidlin
• Mag. Paulus Krumpel
Wiedner Hauptstrasse 57, 1040 Wien
Tel: 01-5048300-3701
E-Mail: icc(at)icc-austria.org
