British investors in Romania complain about the scandalous corruption in day to day matters, the lack of long-term strategy from Romanian partners and the state of the infrastructure, according to Raymond Breden, the new president of the British Romanian Chamber of Commerce (BRCC), who is also the head of KPMG in Romania. “It is scandalous to have to bribe a doctor,” said Breden.

The bribe issue in Romania has been recently tackled by British ambassador to Bucharest Martin Harris. He wrote in a blog post announcing Britain's new Bribery Act, which was enacted on July 1.

“The Bribery Act makes it illegal to give or receive a bribe anywhere in the world. It also requires companies to take steps to prevent their employees and agents acting on their behalf from indulging in bribery,” wrote Martin Harris.

What does this mean for companies operating in Romania? “Firstly, it means that if a British national or a British company is involved in bribery in Romania it will be breaking the law in the UK and not just in Romania, and is liable to prosecution by the British authorities. Secondly, it means that British companies planning to do business in Romania will need to assess the risks of corruption and take measures to protect themselves against that risk,” he went on.

“And in this way British companies will be doing their bit to assist Romania with its efforts to stamp out corruption, to clean up the business environment, and to put an end to the culture of giving and receiving bribes,” Martin Harris concluded.

editor@romania-insider.com

(photo source: Photoxpress.com)