New anti-corruption practices are vital for development, a recent study finds. Sherine Nasr reports For three years the Ministry of Administrative Development has been issuing an annual transparency and integrity report. This year's report underlines that corruption diminishes development. The two previous reports highlighted that reinforcement of anti-corruption legislation and policies is not only a means of protecting investment and spreading social justice but is also about joining the international community in just and transparent practices and norms. The recently launched report emphasises the need to further develop systems related to receiving and managing complaints and malpractice reported by citizens and the mechanisms through which witnesses can be guaranteed protection. National-based indicators for monitoring corruption and reporting it should also be developed, the report says. "It is important to monitor the causes of corruption and the related effects. Prior to this, good quality government services should be available on site and on an equal footing. Further, promoting an investment-friendly atmosphere through abolishing unnecessary and impeding administrative measures and applying principles of good governance are all substantial measures to be taken before accountability on malpractices is demanded," said this year's report. On monitoring government performance during the year and the degree to which recommendations in the previous two reports were implemented, this year's report underlined a number of positive indicators. The first is related to advertising job vacancies so as to guarantee equal access to jobs. A ministerial decree from 1997 was modified in 2010 to set more robust mechanisms that would guarantee equal access to public sector job vacancies. "State officials have been notified of these new rules and a mechanism of supervision and follow up has been incorporated." According to the report, Egypt has also made measurable progress in issues related to the transparency of public procurements. The report refers to a number of laws that stipulate that local tenders and bidding are subject to principles of transparency and free competition. "These principles apply to tenders inside and outside the country. They have to be published in daily newspapers as well as other widely spread media," notes the report, explaining that the aim is to introduce positive change in the process through which official bodies purchase, sell and store equipment and commodities. Another positive indicator is the ongoing process of establishing a national database network to enhance the ability of different official bodies to provide and exchange data amongst themselves and to allow citizens easy access to information. "Once completed, the process will help eliminate bureaucracy and reduce the cost of providing services." The report ends with six recommendations to enhance principles of transparency in society. It underlines the importance of providing a supportive legal system that would encourage citizens to report on illegal practices and provide them with full protection. This could be achieved through close and proactive cooperation among concerned supervisory bodies entrusted with receiving complaints and reports about malpractices. The report also recommends the endorsement of new laws that would stipulate the principles of disclosure and free access to information. "International treaties and norms have agreed on the general principles that should exist in order to allow citizens to have full knowledge of the conditions in the country. One of the most important tools is to have absolute and spontaneous disclosure of information without exception." Among other significant recommendations is the need to enhance the efficiency of national administrative bodies through studying present institutional conditions and finding solutions to problems related to bureaucracy and the absence of integration among bodies. The report further underlines the importance of conducting fieldwork in an attempt to get acquainted with people's views on issues related to corruption, transparency and integrity. "It has been proven that evidence-based policies are more effective and amiable to success than mere statistics." Egypt signed the UN Convention against Corruption (UNCAC) in 2003 and ratified it in 2005. The treaty is considered the standard international legal and technical framework to guide national efforts in combating corruption. In 2007, the Transparency and Integrity Committee was formed based on the 10 recommendations of the Council of Ministers meeting held February of the same year. The committee started its work by issuing its first report, addressing various definitions of corruption, and reviewing the most significant international experiences in combating corruption. The second report was concerned with the status of transparency and integrity and efforts to combat corruption in Egypt.
