Tag: Fight against corruption

Are you doing your part?

 

In times of intense discussions on ethics in politics, the Brazilian Institute for Competition Ethics (ETCO) runs a campaign to raise awareness among market, bakery and bar owners about the importance of everyone doing their part to have a country without corruption. The campaign started in the cities of Guarapuava (PR) and Franca (SP). Approximately 2 merchants will be impacted by the campaign that warns about three themes: sale of smuggled or stolen products, payment of taxes and trade in alcohol and cigarettes for children under 18. ETCO takes advantage of the contact with retailers to also publicize the campaign of the Comptroller General of the Union (CGU) “Say no to small corruptions”, which addresses various illegal or unethical attitudes, such as stealing cable TV, skipping lines and buying counterfeit products.

To have an idea of ​​the size of the problem, in the first quarter of the year, the illegal cigarette market reached 57% of the total in the interior of São Paulo, a growth of 15 percentage points over the same period last year, and exceeding the average national rate of 45%. In 2017, the smuggling of this product caused a leak of R $ 1,2 billion in the collection of the State of São Paulo, with 15,1 billion units of illegal cigarettes circulating freely in the market. In Paraná, the loss was R $ 293 million in the collection, with 3,3 billion units of contraband cigarettes circulating freely in the market.

Despite the authorities' efforts to combat this crime, 48% of cigarettes sold in Brazil are illegal (according to Ibope) and come from Paraguay.

CGU publishes list of companies approved in Pró-Ética 2017

23 companies were recognized as integral to the relationship between public and private sectors

 

The Ministry of Transparency and the Comptroller General of the Union (CGU) discloses, this Wednesday (6), the 23 companies approved in the 2017 edition of the Pro-Ethics. The companies were recognized, by relevant government and civil society bodies, as integral and ethical in their relations between the public and private sectors. The announcement was made during the 4th Clean Company Law Conference, in Brasília (DF).

>>> Check out the presentation by the CGU Minister

The winners this year are: 3M do Brasil, ABB Ltda., Alubar Metais e Cabos SA, Electricity Trading Chamber (CCEE), Chiesi Farmacêutica Ltda., CPFL Energia SA, Duratex SA, Elektro Redes SA, Enel Brasil SA, Ernst & Young Auditores Independentes S / S, Fleury SA, GranBio Investimentos SA, GranEnergia Investimentos SA, ICTS Global Risk Management Consulting Services Ltda., Itaú Unibanco Holding SA, Natura Cosméticos SA, Neoenergia SA, Nova / sb Comunicação Ltda. , Radix Engenharia e Desenvolvimento de Software SA, Siemens Ltda., Souza Cruz Ltda., Tecnew Consultoria de Informática Ltda. and Unimed Belo Horizonte Medical Work Cooperative.

Logos-Pro-ethics-2017.png

Of these, 15 are large companies; seven mediums and a small one. With regard to the sector in which it operates, the distribution is found in: transformation industries (8), electricity and gas (5), scientific activities (3), human health and social services (2), financial activities (2), activities administrative (1), information and communication (1) and construction (1).

Pró-Ética, a pioneering initiative in Latin America, was created by CGU in 2010 in partnership with the Ethos Institute. The objective is to encourage companies to adopt the policies and actions necessary to create a healthy environment, which reduces the risks of fraud and corruption.

Record inscriptions 

Registrations for Pro-Ética 2017 took place between February and May this year. The number of enrollment requests was a record for the second consecutive year, with an increase of 92% over the previous edition. Of these, 198 sent the completed questionnaire. After preliminary analysis by the management committee, 171 fulfilled the admissibility requirements and had their respective compliance programs evaluated - a number 131% higher than 2016.

Access complete statistics

The Pro-Ética evaluation questionnaire is separated by area: commitment from top management and commitment to ethics; policies and procedures; communication and training; reporting and remediation channels; risk analysis and monitoring; and transparency and accountability in political and social financing. The company that reaches a score equal to or greater than 70 points (out of a maximum of 100) and, cumulatively, reaches a minimum of 40% in all areas of the questionnaire will be able to compose the Pro-Ethics list.

After completing the questionnaire, it is necessary to wait for the evaluation of the management committee of Pró-Ética, composed of the National Confederation of Industries (CNI), Brazilian Federation of Banks (Febraban), BM&F Bovespa, Ministry of Development Industry and Commerce (MDIC) , Brazilian Export and Investment Promotion Agency (Apex), Institute of Independent Auditors of Brazil (Ibracon), Brazilian Service of Support to Micro and Small Enterprises (Sebrae) and, recently, Brazilian Institute of Competitive Ethics (ETCO).

Of the winners in this edition, 16 also appear in the list of winners last year: 3M do Brasil, ABB Ltda., Electric Energy Trading Chamber (CCEE), Chiesi Farmacêutica Ltda., Duratex SA, Elektro Redes SA, Enel Brasil SA, GranBio Investimentos SA, ICTS Global Risk Management Consulting Services Ltda., Itaú Unibanco Holding SA, Natura Cosméticos SA, Neoenergia SA, Nova / sb Comunicação Ltda., Radix Engenharia e Desenvolvimento de Software SA, Siemens Ltda. and Tecnew Consultoria de Informática Ltda.

Voluntary commitment and benefits 

The company included in Pró-Ética is not granted different treatment in its relations with the Public Administration. It is a commitment to business ethics, voluntarily assumed by corporations, which indicates that the company strives to put in place internal measures that reduce the probability of the occurrence of illicit acts and deviations and, when they occur, guarantee the detection and interruption of these acts, in a quick way, and the remedy of their adverse effects.

Among the benefits for companies participating in the initiative are: public recognition of their commitment to preventing and fighting corruption; positive advertising for an approved company on the list; evaluation of the Integrity Program by a specialized team; report with detailed analysis of its integrity measures and suggestions for improvement.

Increased demand 

The application of the legislation by CGU, in the investigation and punishment of companies - including within the scope of Operation Lava Jato - has generated reflexes in the Brazilian business environment. The possibility of suffering financial losses (fines on billing and unfairness), in addition to possible damage to the image, when proven the practice of illicit acts against the Public Administration, caused a significant increase in the demand of companies for guidance on how to implement measures of integrity and transparency in the corporate environment.

Another factor that may have caused in 2017 the significant increase in the number of companies interested in Pró-Ética was the reinforcement in the dissemination of the initiative. During the months of March and April, the then Minister of Transparency, Torquato Jardim, gave lectures with about a thousand businessmen, in ten capitals of the country, to present the benefits of the program and to stimulate the participation of new institutions and sectors of the economy.

The regional meetings covered the cities of Manaus (AM), Belém (PA), Belo Horizonte (MG), Goiânia (GO), Campo Grande (MS), Curitiba (PR), Porto Alegre (RS), Salvador (BA), Fortaleza (CE) and Recife (PE).

CGU promotes 4th edition of the Clean Company Law Conference

On December 6, in Brasília (DF), the Ministry of Transparency and the Comptroller General of the Union (CGU), in partnership with the National Confederation of Industry (CNI), 4th Clean Company Law Conference. The objective is to promote dialogue and exchange of experiences between the public and private sectors on topics related to the application of Law nº 12.846/2013 (also known as Anti-Corruption Law). The event is open to businessmen, civil servants, academics and other interested citizens. Registration is free and spaces are limited.

In this edition, the focus of the debates is the fight against transnational bribery and the expansion of transparency in the public-private relationship. The panels address the implementation of integrity programs, which comply with national and foreign legislation; accountability processes in multiple jurisdictions; donation of gifts and presents; regulation for the defense of interests activities; among other topics.

Awards 

During the event, companies approved in the Pro-Ethics 2017, an initiative by CGU that seeks to promote a more honest, ethical and transparent corporate environment in the Brazilian business sector. This year, 375 organizations have shown interest in participating - an increase of 92% over the previous edition. After preliminary analysis, 171 met the admissibility requirements and had the respective compliance evaluated.

Pró-Ética, launched in 2010, aims to encourage companies to adopt policies and actions that reduce the risks of fraud and corruption; and to increase confidence in relations between the public and private sectors. It is a commitment to ethics, voluntarily assumed by corporations.

The award will be attended by representatives of the Management Committee, currently composed of the CGU and the following institutions: Brazilian Trade and Investment Promotion Agency (Apex Brasil); B3 SA – Brasil, Bolsa, Balcão; the Confederation of Agriculture and Livestock of Brazil (CNA); the National Confederation of Trade in Goods, Services and Tourism (CNC); the CNI; the Brazilian Federation of Banks (Febraban); the Ministry of Industry, Foreign Trade and Services (MDIC); O Brazilian Institute of Competitive Ethics (ETCO); the Institute of Independent Auditors of Brazil (Ibracon); the Ethos Institute for Business and Social Responsibility; and the Brazilian Micro and Small Business Support Service (Sebrae).

Service 

  • Order date: December 6, 2017
  • Open Hours: 9 pm - 18 am
  • Location: Auditorium of the National Confederation of Industry (CNI)
  • Address: SBN, Quadra 1, Bloco I, Ed. Armando Monteiro Neto, Asa Norte - Brasília (DF)
  • Registrations: http://www.cgu.gov.br/conferencia-empresa-limpa

ETCO supports 1st compliance mission promoted by AMCHAM Brasil

In an initiative supported by the ETCO Institute, the American Chamber of Commerce, Amcham Brasil, takes executives to the US in September for its first compliance mission

São Paulo - International Compliance Mission will bring delegation closer to the main players in the area in the USA

From September 10 to 16, Amcham carries out the International Compliance Mission to the United States, aiming to learn about the main initiatives, trends and best practices on this subject in large American companies and institutions in Washington, DC and New York, NY.

With scheduled visits to important players in the segment in the USA, the delegation will have strategic networking, training and benchmark meetings. The mission is aimed at entrepreneurs and executives from different segments who have some relationship or interest in the topic. “We aim to train companies in the process of structuring the compliance area and contribute to the development and maturation of the topic in companies that already have an internal structure organized on that front,” says Daniella Leite, Foreign Trade Manager at Amcham.

In addition to the ETCO Institute, the project has the institutional support of important entities on the subject, such as the ETHOS and ARC Institutes, and the Brazilian Embassy in Washington, DC.

Registration * is open and the number of places is limited. To find out how to participate in the mission, send a message to missoes@amchambrasil.com.br or call (11) 5180-3808.

* Exclusive discounts for ETCO Institute partners, for more information consult the Amcham team informing the promotional code ETCO2016.

 

Ministry of Transparency, Inspection and Control maintains functions of the former CGU

Minister Fabiano Silveira introduced himself to the agency's employees and reinforced the opening of a permanent Ascom / MTFC dialogue channel
Minister Fabiano Silveira introduced himself to the agency's employees and reinforced the opening of a permanent dialogue channel
Ascom / MTFC

According to the minister of the new portfolio, status guarantees greater visibility to the agency

 

The Comptroller General of the Union (CGU) officially became, last Thursday (12), the Ministry of Transparency, Inspection and Control (MTFC), through the726 Provisional Measure, edited by the acting President of the Republic, Michel Temer. The change in the organ's nomenclature, however, does not change its functions.

The minister of the new portfolio, Fabiano Silveira, explains that the name change was intended to give the agency even more prestige. “Our efforts continue to be joint to emphasize measures to combat corruption. This is a right for Brazilian citizens, ”said Fabiano. "Transforming the CGU into a ministry is a way of giving greater visibility to what has already become an organ in which society fully trusts and that is why we will maintain all the functions of the Controllership," explained the minister.

Created on May 28, 2003, with the publication of Law No. 10.683, the then CGU was the body in charge of assisting the President of the Republic directly and immediately in the performance of his duties in matters relating to the defense of public property and the increase of management transparency, within the scope of the Executive Branch, through the activities of internal control, public audit, correction, prevention and fight against corruption, and ombudsman. In 2003, the CGU's creation law incorporated the functions of the then Federal Internal Affairs Office - established in 2001 by Provisional Measure No. 2.143-31 - into the body's structure, which had the purpose of combating, within the scope of the Federal Executive Branch, fraud and corruption and promote the defense of public assets.

The Ministry of Transparency, Inspection and Control remains as the central body of the Internal Control System and the Correction System, both of which are the Federal Executive Branch and maintain all activities related to the defense of public assets and to the increase of management transparency, through the internal control, public audit, correction, prevention and fight against corruption, and ombudsman activities.

Source: CGU (17/05)

'Silent corruption' affects the performance of countries and companies

The recent scandals of Lava Jato and Panama Papers have brought up the debate about corporate corruption. But it can be much more present in the day-to-day life of companies than imagined, including in the front line of service provision. Called silent corruption, this practice is not directly linked to the diversion of money, but to a complex and difficult to identify and punish behavior. The concept was created in 2010 by the World Bank to describe the situation in African countries, where public officials did not fulfill their duties and small flaws in conduct caused major impacts on development. “The most serious thing about silent corruption is that it has no immediate impact, it is long-term”, warns economist Jorge Arbache, a professor at the University of Brasília (UnB) and one of the scholars who formulated the concept.

Source: O Estado de São Paulo newspaper (17/05)

Click here to read the full story

 

 

Ministry replacing CGU plans text of interim measure that pleases control bodies over agreements with investigated companies

The Michel Temer government plans to draw up a new provisional measure to discipline leniency agreements with companies involved in corruption cases, including contractors investigated in Operation Lava Jato. This will be one of the tasks of the new Ministry of Inspection, Transparency and Control, led by Minister Fabiano Silveira, 41. The new text will be produced under the supervision of the Casa Civil, headed by Minister Eliseu Padilha. The main objective is to seek consensus on the topic. So far, this has not been possible due to differences between the Federal Court of Accounts (TCU), the Federal Public Ministry (MPF) and the defunct Comptroller General of the Union (CGU) - which, under the Temer government, was renamed the Ministry of Transparency.

Source: O Estado de São Paulo newspaper (14/05)

To read the full article click here