(Trinidad Express) The Trinidad and Tobago Chamber of Commerce has called for more attention to good governance by business and government in 2012.
“Last week’s release of the Transparency International 2011 Corruption Perception Index (CPI) saw Trinidad and Tobago’s score this year in the Index fall to 3.2 out of ten from 3.6 in 2010.
“With this in mind, and as the world recognises International Anti-Corruption Day (yesterday), the Trinidad and Tobago Chamber of Industry and Commerce calls once again for the adoption of a systematic approach between the private sector and government to address the national issue of corruption and governance,” the business group said in a statement yesterday.
“Our worse corruption score highlights issues within our nation that relate to both our national and business leadership, and the Chamber continues to be concerned about corruption, or perceived corruption, throughout both the public and private sectors—a perception which, if it persists, can negatively impact our image among international investors.”
Most notably, the unravelling CLICO “scandal” made clear an urgent need for transparency, law enforcement and adoption of good governance practices within our nation’s institutions, the Chamber said.
“We particularly look forward to the implementation of the recommendations of the Commission of Enquiry into the construction sector and the enactment of procurement legislation for both the public sector and State-owned enterprises,” the group said.
It added: “As we enter 2012, the Chamber intends to make good corporate governance one of the main focal points on our agenda.
“We will maintain our call on both government and private enterprise to be diligent in establishing both a mandatory system of corporate integrity as well as a regulatory framework that will allow for an improved perception score for Trinidad and Tobago.”
