By the end of January 2017, all of IFU’s 89 employees have conducted an online anti-corruption course, and they are now better equipped to recognise and respond to various forms of corruption, including bribery, embezzlement, fraud and extortion.
– Corruption is recognised as one of the main obstacles to sustainable development, with a disproportionate impact on developing countries. Fighting corruption is therefore a key element in order to reduce poverty and an important element for IFU and the investments we enter, said Tommy Thomsen, CEO, IFU.
As a consequence of this, IFU is also a member of Transparency International Denmark and has its own anti-corruption guidelines in place.
IFU’s ‘Anti-corruption guidelines’ are based on Danish law, the UN Convention against Corruption, OECD’s Convention on Combating Bribery of Foreign Public Officials in International Business Transactions and the UN Global Compact’s Principle 10: ‘Businesses should work against corruption in all its forms, including extortion and bribery.’
Through the ‘anti-corruption guidelines’, IFU requires that a project company assesses the risk of corruption, establishes an anti-corruption culture, avoids facilitation payments and makes its anti-corruption commitment known to business partners.
– IFU has been fighting corruption through our investment in developing countries for many years. However, it is important to continue to nurture an internal culture that creates awareness about corruption within our own organisation, said Andreas Brogaard Buhl, Head of Sustainability and Corporate Governance in the IFU.
The anti-corruption course, which IFU’s employees have completed, is developed by the Danish Ministry of Foreign Affairs, where it is mandatory for all new employees.