The 2017 Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI) shows major differences in the rankings for the Gulf countries. With positions spread out between 21st to 103rd the discrepancy is quite clear.

Half of the six member-states managed to enhance their rankings. On balance, however, more positions were lost than gained, something not promising.

Much to its credit, the UAE advanced three places to reach 21st position and immediately after Japan. This is the best performance for any Middle East country. The achievement confirms the spread of transparency in the country’s business environment.

Qatar advanced two places to be ranked 29th and on par with Portugal and Taiwan. In fact, the rankings of the UAE and Qatar are better than many EU states.

Saudi Arabia moved up five places to clinch the 57th place and is most striking gain made by any GCC state. This suggests that the authors of the Index are becoming increasingly appreciative of the kingdom’s determination to improve business practices. The Saudi Vision 2030 intends to transform the kingdom’s economy by placing greater emphasis on the private sector.

Oman lost four notches to be in the 68th position. Nevertheless, the sultanate ranks ahead of some economies such as South Africa.

Kuwait slipped by an alarming 10 notches to be 85th globally, a position shared with Argentina. And Bahrain’s ranking plummeted 33 positions to be 103rd. This marks the worst loss of positions by any GCC state Of the GCC and Arab nations, only the UAE and Qatar managed to score more than 50 points on the 100-point index. The UAE collected 66 points versus 61 points in the case of Qatar.

The Berlin-based Transparency International issues the annual report, reviewing economies and assigning points on the basis of perceptions expressed in doing business. The 2017 report covers some 180 countries.

The respondents include local and expatriate residents and provide views about perceived corrupt practices involving public officials when it comes to winning contracts. It also takes into account instances of corruption in official transactions, embezzlement among senior government officials and other questionable activities. The Index also looks at the exemplary quality of punishment and penalties imposed on violators in each country.

There is a need for concerted efforts to address challenges associated with business transparency in GCC states. This should entail the enactment of laws granting free access to information deemed essential by the public. This matter is particularly important now with the introduction of taxes such as excise and VAT, at least in some Gulf countries. Taxpayers deserve the right to know usage of their funds.

Likewise, there is the necessity to protect whistle-blowers of corrupt practices to encourage public engagement in the efforts of stamping out wrongdoing. The GCC countries have the potential to achieve outstanding performances, but competition is severe in this age of globalisation.

Countries make every effort to strengthen their competitive positions via measures like enhanced transparency of public expenditures and stamping out of corrupt practices. Transparency pays and helps turn socioeconomic challenges into opportunities.

The writer is a Member of Parliament in Bahrain.