On 8 December, 2020, the online event 4K organized by the Corruption Prevention and Combating Bureau of Latvia and Latvian School of Public Administration, was held to mark upcoming International Anti-Corruption Day. High-level experts discussed the role of internal control in preventing corruption risks both in terms of the current Covid-19 crisis and in everyday conditions, when companies participate in state and municipal competitions (tenders).
The participants of the discussion unilaterally agreed that an effective internal anti-corruption control system based on real risks is one of the most important solutions allowing companies to work in conditions of fair competition, to integrate good governance principles in their work and to ensure good reputation. It is equally important to implement a code of ethics and reporting channels in each organization, as well as ensuring effective exchange of data and information, and organizing employee training in accordance with the risks.
The issues of public and private sector internal anti-corruption control were discussed by:
- Mr Jēkabs Straume, Director of Corruption Prevention and Combating Bureau,
- Ms Dace Gaile, an expert of public procurements, Head of Administration of the Ministry of Economics,
- Ms Katrīna Zariņa, Board Member of the Latvian Chamber of Commerce and Industry,
- Ms Linda Ozola, Deputy Chairman of the Riga City Council,
- Ms Zlata Elksniņa-Zaščirinska, PWC Latvia Chair of the Board and Board Member of the Foreign Investors Council in Latvia.
Ms France Chain, Senior Anti-Corruption Analyst of the OECD Anti-Corruption Division presented study carried out by the OECD.