Corruption poses the greatest risk at the interface between the public and private sectors, particularly in areas such as public procurement, licensing procedures, tax refunds and regulatory inspections. It is the responsibility of the state to create predictable and transparent operating conditions for economic actors and to actively counter any attempts to distort fair market competition through undue influence.
At the international level, expectations regarding corporate integrity and accountability are becoming increasingly consistent, especially in light of the implementation of the OECD Convention on Combating Bribery of Foreign Public Officials in International Business Transactions, as well as domestic compliance regimes such as the U.S. Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA) and the UK Bribery Act.
Companies around the world are strengthening their compliance and ethics systems, and integrity-based operation is increasingly seen as a competitive advantage.
According to national experience, strengthening the internal control systems of legal entities is crucial for preventing and detecting misconduct at an early stage, as external audits alone cannot provide full protection. The state, in its role as both owner and regulator, must support these efforts to ensure that law-abiding market participants are not disadvantaged compared to those who violate the rules.
The rules on the liability of legal persons have been amended several times in recent years, in line with the recommendations of the OECD and MONEYVAL. The purpose of these changes is to ensure that measures against legal persons can be effectively applied and that sanctions have a genuinely deterrent effect.
Transparency of ownership structures remains a key issue, as unidentified beneficial owners increase the risks of misuse and money laundering. To address this, the development of the beneficial ownership register aims to enhance accountability and economic security, in accordance with the expectations of the European Union.
When shaping regulation affecting the private sector, it is essential to ensure the involvement and prior consultation of stakeholders. This is the only way to maintain the balance between legal certainty, trust and competitiveness. Broad consultations and adequate preparation periods contribute to the establishment of an effective and sustainable regulatory environment.
