Transparency Not Solely a Western Issue

			ISSUE: 196

	Good people do not need laws to tell them to act responsibly, while bad people will find a way around the laws. - Plato
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Transparency Not Solely a Western Issue

Ukrainians want transparency in business and government, but aren't seeing much of it yet. That's one conclusion of The Willard Group's Online Opinion Leader Survey this month.

Of the opinion leaders surveyed, 92 percent disagreed with the proposition that that the Ukrainian government operates transparently, though 14 percent felt the government was making an effort to become more transparent in the way it operates.

While the government didn't get high marks for its efforts, transparency isn't just a Western issue. The nation's business community is interested in seeing greater degree of transparency, according to 76 percent of those responding to the poll. Most felt that foreign companies doing business in Ukraine are generally more transparent than their Ukrainian counterparts, and 92 percent of espondents felt that foreign businesses had an obligation to set a good example by operating openly.

Government leaders are perceived as contributing to the problem, as 53 percent strongly felt that senior public officials would be likely to demand bribes or kickbacks.

Despite pressure on the government from Western governments and NGOs, 68 percent of our opinion leaders felt that corruption had become worse over the past five years. Respondents looked to foreign donors and the mass media to take active roles in pushing for reform. Government officials were seen as unlikely to take a strong stand.

The complete survey, with all answers and responses:

1. What best describes your status?
Expat	60 %
Ukrainian	40 %

2. The Ukrainian government is generally transparent.
Strongly Agree	1 %
Somewhat Agree	1 %
Agree	5 %
Somewhat Disagree	22 %
Strongly Disagree	70 %

3. The Ukrainian government is making a genuine effort to become more transparent.
Strongly Agree	1 %
Somewhat Agree	9 %
Agree	4 %
Somewhat Disagree	41 %
Strongly Disagree	45 %

4. Transparency is important to Ukrainian businesses.
Strongly Agree	47 %
Somewhat Agree	8 %
Agree	21 %
Somewhat Disagree	12 %
	12 %

5. Foreign companies doing business in Ukraine are generally more transparent than their Ukrainian counterparts.
Strongly Agree	36 %
Somewhat Agree	33 %
Agree	23 %
Somewhat Disagree	7 %
Strongly Disagree	1 %

6. It is up to foreign companies doing business in Ukraine to set an example for Ukrainian businesses.
Strongly Agree	36 %
	35 %
Agree	23 %
Somewhat Disagree	4 %
Strongly Disagree	4 %

7. It is likely that senior public officials in this country would demand or accept bribes, e.g. for public tenders, regulations, licensing?
Strongly Agree	53 %
Somewhat Agree	13 %
Agree	27 %
Somewhat Disagree	4 %
Strongly Disagree	3 %

8. Overall, corruption in this country has worsened in the past 5 years.
Strongly Agree	24 %
Somewhat Agree	22 %
Agree	22 %
Somewhat Disagree	30 %
Strongly Disagree	3 %

9. What institution is most likely to take a leading role in combating official corruption?
Courts and Prosecutors	14 %
Legislature (Verkhovna Rada)	7 %
President / Cabinet	12 %
Mass Media	27 %
Foreign donors/lenders	30 %
Foreign NGOs	11 %

10. What single factor is most likely to take a leading role in combating official corruption?
Greater press freedom	32 %
Government anti-corruption investigations	18 %
Improvements in corporate governance	14 %
Increase in globalization and competition	18 %
Privatization of state assets	8 %
Stronger controls of money laundering	8 %

11. The public generally is tolerant of corruption in government.
Strongly Agree	13 %
Somewhat Agree	23 %
Agree	41 %
Somewhat Disagree	18 %
Strongly Disagree	6 %

12. How many businesses operating in Ukraine are you aware of that you would consider "transparent" (pay taxes, refrain from bribery, Western personnel and accounting standards)?
None	14 %
1	3 %
2 to 5	23 %
There are many transparent firms doing business in Ukraine	61 %

More in the section:
Bowling Gold

Read also previous issue' articles:
Quilting the Way to Success for Mothers in Need
Big League Election Observation and Little League Baseball in Ukraine
Play ball? Where are the fields?
Announcement For Rugby Fans and Supporters The 3rd Annual John Marsh Memorial
Democratic Party Organizes in Kyiv
John Marsh Rugby Tournament


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