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Business Roundtable Urges Fight Against Bribery, Corruption"
NEW YORK -- Hank McKinnell, chairman of Business Roundtable and chairman and chief executive officer of Pfizer Inc., yesterday called on the private sector, government and international organizations to renew the battle against bribery and corruption throughout the world, or face continued impediments to vibrant economic growth.McKinnell spoke before 400 top executives and government ministers at the United Nations. In his speech, McKinnell asked for an international initiative against bribery and corruption, which is high on the Business Roundtable agenda for economic growth. The World Bank estimates that $1 trillion in bribes is paid each year."No organization is immune from the threat of corruption. That's why a more vigilant, unified approach is needed, one that engages businesses, governments and multilateral organizations as partners. The stakes have never been higher," said McKinnell. "We now live in a world of complex, technology driven systems -- transportation, energy, communications, healthcare and security, to name just a few. We have no choice but to rely on these systems and the integrity of the people responsible for them. Corruption can no longer be tolerated as 'business as usual,' because in a world of complex systems, it can be a fatal weakness." Business Roundtable, representing CEOs of 150 leading U.S. companies with global operations and with 10 million workers in America alone, resolved to promote active support in three areas:Monitoring of compliance by governments under existing conventions.Use of influence and programs by international organizations such as the United Nations and World Bank to promote the adoption and enforcement of anti-bribery and corruption laws.Implementation of best practices in internal compliance by businesses."We must defeat corruption and bribery, and we can if we take the right actions together," said McKinnell.Business Roundtable is an association committed to advocating public policies that foster vigorous economic growth, a dynamic global economy, and a well-trained and productive U.S. work force.Visit the Business Roundtable: www.businessroundtable.org"