Transparency and confidence between the public and private sectors are essential factors in the fight against corruption and bribery, said a top official at a conference in Doha, Qatar.

Dentons Doha managing partner Safwan Moubaydeen and Dubai associate Nadine Naji provided a presentation on corruption and anti-bribery at the conference organised by the Qatar International Court and Dispute Resolution Centre (QICDRC) in collaboration with the Legal and Judicial Studies Center of the Ministry of Justice.

The event, aimed at raising awareness for the implications of corruption in Qatar, was well attended by delegates from the Public Prosecution, government and private agencies, and international businesses, emphasising the appetite for knowledge on how best to combat corruption and bribery across all areas of business.

Moubaydeen gave a presentation outlining the forms of bribery and corruption and their impact on businesses.

In discussing the legislative developments taking place in Qatar to combat corruption, Naji said: "Having ratified the United Nations Convention against Corruption (UNCAC), Qatar has taken an important step towards combating and controlling corruption. The key focus now is on developing a comprehensive awareness campaign to educate both the public and private sectors on the new policies and enforcement measures that have been put in place."

Qatar is one of 19 Arab states which have committed themselves to implement the UNCAC, the first global legally binding international anti-corruption instrument, implemented in 2003. – TradeArabia News Service