Financial Crime World

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The United Arab Emirates’ Fight Against Bribery and Corruption

Importance of Tackling Bribery and Corruption

The UAE government places significant emphasis on tackling bribery and corruption. As evidenced by its ranking of 27th out of 180 countries in the Corruption Perception Index (CPI), the UAE has demonstrated a commitment to combating corruption, outperforming neighboring Gulf states such as Saudi Arabia and Bahrain.

Organizational Approach to Anti-Bribery and Corruption

Organizations in the UAE take bribery and corruption seriously, with the government consistently enforcing new legislation and monitoring the area. The recent implementation of the New Penal Code has reorganized efforts against bribery, demonstrating a progressive approach to protecting whistle-blowers.

Challenges in Investigating and Prosecuting Bribery Cases

Enforcement agencies face challenges in detecting bribery and accurately analyzing reported activities. Some of the key challenges include:

  • Detecting bribery and verifying whether accusations are reasonably likely to be true
  • Allocating resources for further inspections

Business Challenges in Preventing Bribery and Corruption

Businesses in the UAE face several challenges when investigating bribery and corruption issues, including:

  • Allocating budget and resources
  • Implementing appropriate channels of communication between senior management and employees
  • Having preventative measures in place such as compliance training, background checks, and monitoring mechanisms

Future Challenges for Businesses

Over the next 18 months, businesses in the UAE will face challenges related to implementing internal compliance systems and procedures balancing with maintaining business activities. This is contingent upon judicial precedent observed under the New Penal Code.

To improve the legal framework and process, several measures can be implemented, including:

  • More rigorous compliance frameworks
  • Background check procedures for employees
  • Arrangements for greater financial transparency
  • Making it more difficult for individuals to engage in or conceal corrupt practices