Financial Crime World

Fiji Development Bank Joins National Anti-Bribery Campaign

The Fiji Development Bank (FDB) has taken a significant step towards promoting good governance and upholding integrity by joining the “I Don’t Accept Bribes” campaign, a nationwide initiative launched by the Fiji Independent Commission Against Corruption (FICAC) in partnership with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).

Commitment to Transparency and Integrity

The FDB’s CEO, Saud Minam, acknowledged the importance of the campaign, stating that while the bank has its own code of conduct and principles on anti-corruption, it is essential for staff to participate in such initiatives to understand the broader context of bribery. The bank’s core values include integrity, objectivity, honesty, transparency, fairness, and responsibility.

Regular Awareness Programs

The FDB regularly conducts special awareness programs for its staff to educate them on the importance of good personal and professional conduct, including understanding what constitutes bribery and how it can be avoided.

Key Highlights

  • The “I Don’t Accept Bribes” campaign aims to promote a culture of integrity and transparency across Fiji.
  • The FDB’s commitment to the anti-bribery campaign is seen as a significant step towards promoting good governance and upholding integrity in its operations.
  • The bank’s CEO emphasized that FDB’s core values include integrity, objectivity, honesty, transparency, fairness, and responsibility.

Role of Autonomous Statutory Bodies

FICAC’s Manager Corruption Prevention, Kolora Celua, highlighted the critical role that autonomous statutory bodies like the FDB play in preventing corruption and bringing back resources to investments in important development outcomes. She urged the bank’s executive management and officers to take a stand against corruption and bribery, exercising their civic right and duty to report matters of corruption and bribery to FICAC.

United Nations Support

The UNDP Pacific Office in Fiji Anti-Corruption Adviser, Sonja Stefanovska-Trajanoska, emphasized that the anti-corruption campaign is framed by the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and specifically targets Sustainable Development Goal 16, which calls for countries to improve their governance systems and fight corruption. The “I Don’t Accept Bribes” campaign is supported by UNDP under the United Nations Pacific Regional Anti-Corruption (UN-PRAC) project funded by the New Zealand Government.

Conclusion

The Fiji Development Bank’s commitment to joining the “I Don’t Accept Bribes” campaign demonstrates its dedication to promoting transparency and integrity in its operations. The bank’s involvement in this initiative is a significant step towards creating a culture of good governance and anti-corruption across Fiji, ensuring that public institutions like FDB are committed to upholding the values of integrity and anti-corruption in their operations.