Corruption
Germany is a country with an overall good to very good system for preventing corruption.
Among industrialized countries, Germany ranks in the middle, according to Transparency
International’s corruption indices.
The auto industry, the construction sector and public
contracting, in conjunction with questionable political party influence and party donations,
represent areas of continued concern. Nevertheless, U.S. Firms have not identified corruption as
an impediment to investment in Germany. Germany is a signatory of the OECD Anti-Bribery
Convention and a participating member of the OECD Working Group on Bribery.
Over the last two decades Germany has increased penalties for the bribery of German officials,
for corrupt practices between companies, and for price-fixing by companies competing for public
contracts. It has also strengthened anti-corruption provisions on financial support extended by
the official export credit agency and has tightened the rules for public tenders.
Government officials are forbidden from accepting gifts linked to their jobs. Most state governments and
local authorities have contact points for whistle-blowing and provisions for rotating personnel in
areas prone to corruption. There are serious penalties for bribing officials and price fixing by
companies competing for public contracts.
EU Forecast
euf:ba18a:197/nws-01