Press Release No. : 05/2021
Date : 19 March 2021
The Fiji Independent Commission Against Corruption (FICAC) and the United Nations Pacific Regional Anti-Corruption (UNPRAC) launched its ‘I Don’t Accept Bribes’ campaign at the Reserve Bank of Fiji (RBF) on 18 March 2021.
A key part of the campaign is the badging of all employees as part of FICAC’s anti-bribery efforts in encouraging statutory bodies and government ministries to embrace the initiative.
The FICAC Deputy Commissioner, Mr Rashmi Aslam during the badging highlighted that, “Today is a landmark day for this important campaign as we partner with the RBF to strengthen our journey in this fight against corruption. I am very grateful to the Governor and all the officials for taking up this initiative unreservedly. In the circumstance, it is pivotal that RBF and FICAC work together in this very difficult fight against corruption to gain long lasting economic prosperity.”
The UNPRAC Anti-Corruption Adviser, Ms Sonja Stefanovska-Trajanoska who is working with FICAC for the campaign highlighted that “Corruption impedes investment, with consequent effects on growth and employment. By opting not to accept or offer bribes, every institution, every employee, and every public servant individually contributes to bring back resources for investments that is needed for development within Fiji.”
The RBF Governor, Mr Ariff Ali, while being the first member of the central bank to be badged by the Deputy Commissioner mentioned that, “Integrity is one of the important values of the Reserve Bank of Fiji. As such, upholding of integrity at the Bank by staff ensures that anti-bribery and anti-corruption behavior is practised at the Bank.”
This partnership between the FICAC, UNPRAC and RBF is an important one in enhancing antibribery and anti-corruption efforts driven by FICAC and UNPRAC.