Weeding corruption means business

It goes without saying that any business environment could not and would not be conducive for good business practice unless and until it functions by the rule of law in complete transparency and abides by the principles of fair competition. Striving for such a set-up, the authorities in Dubai have marked their actions - the most recent of all being their openness about the fight against corruption.

Recently, a number of high-ranking government officials have been referred to the Public Prosecution for investigation into their involvement in wrongdoing regarding government funds and allocations. The officials are being questioned for their role in exploiting their positions as public officials in making illegal profits for personal gain. "The government will continue to have a strict stance against all aspects of corruption and will take legal measures against violators ... Any employee exploiting his position to make illegal profits will not have immunity," said an official statement issued by the prosecution.

Such an approach in dealing with corruption should be commended given that Dubai's main business is doing business. It should also be taken as a step in the right direction as the authorities did not shy or hide away from going public.

Hence, by taking a transparent approach, a precedent is set and a cornerstone is laid for how business is to be carried out. Over the past few years, numerous entities were established to create a more organisational structure, appropriate systems, and set standards that are on par with international best practices.

Corruption is a global phenomenon that is not restricted to a single country. Combating it through the right procedures would ensure its elimination. The manner in which the authorities have dealt with it here could become an example to be followed in the rest of the country as well.