Govt urged to punish corrupt foreign companies

AN anti-corruption group has called on the government to come down hard on foreign companies involved in corrupt business deals in the country.
The Non-governmental Organisations and Civil Society Coalition Against Corruption (CSCAC) said in a statement that previous regimes had failed miserably to address this issue.
CSCAC chairman Philip Kepan said foreign companies found engaged in corrupt deals and activities must be severely punished.
“However, at the same time, the government must ensure that the interest of genuine foreign businesses is protected at all times.”
Speaking at the Kone Tigers Oval in Waigani, NCD, Kepan said foreign investor confidence had improved dramatically in the last 10 months.
He said for many years, senior public servants and government officers in key positions had been used by corrupt foreign elements to further their own business interests.
“Prime Minister Peter O’Neill and his government have moved to stop this rot, something that the ordinary people of this country had longed for over the years.”
He said many genuine foreign companies had left because they could not compete.
He said his group had compiled a database of foreigners and Papua New Guineans who they suspected engaged in illegal practices.