Asian Compliance and Anti-Corruption Summit

11-12 January, Holiday Inn, Bangkok

Asian Compliance and Anti-Corruption Summit – Compliance Across Asia

On 11 and 12 January 2017, CPG and the Viadrina Compliance Center, European University Viadrina Frankfurt (Oder) – supported by Hanns Seidel Foundation, Alliance for Integrity, Deutsche Gesellschaft für Zusammenarbeit (GIZ), Viadrina Center B/Orders in Motion, Compliance Academy, Deutsches Institut für Compliance and Instytut Compliance – jointly hosted the “Asian Compliance and Anti-Corruption Summit – Compliance Across Asia” at Holiday Inn Bangkok Sukhumvit, Bangkok, Thailand. The conference addressed current issues and latest developments in compliance and compliance management systems in Asia in a variety of interrelated fields, ranging from cross-cultural communication, customs control and cross-border anti-corruption programs to third party due diligence. The event brought together not less than 18 European and Asian experts, professionals and compliance officers from governmental institutions, international organizations, globally operating companies and NGOs. On two days and in four moderated panels they contributed with their presentations and discussions to a highly enriching and stimulating event.

Following welcome words delivered by CPG Director Henning Glaser, who emphasized the relevance of compliance in Asia in the light of the unprecedented level of reach and rigidity of the global compliance regime, Karl-Peter Schönfisch, Director of the Laos/Thailand Office of Hanns Seidel Foundation, the main financial supporter of this event, and Prof. Dr. Bartosz Makowicz, Director of the Viadrina Compliance Center, the first conference day was opened with a panel on “Cross Cultural Compliance and Communication”. Ms. Christin Grothaus, Lecturer, Mahidol University Bangkok, gave a presentation on the psychological factors influencing cross-cultural communication in professional environments. She was followed by Mr. Vincent Yambao, Sub-Regional Compliance Officer, Merck Group, who outlined topics and challenges related to the work of a compliance office in an internationally operating corporation. Mr. Will Phua, Regional Compliance Officer Asia Pacific, ThyssenKrupp, provided practical insights into the ways how conflicts between a company’s global compliance standards and regional customs and practices can be solved. Subsequently, Mr. Noor Naqschbandi, Director, Alliance for Integrity, emphasised that there is no one-size-fits-all model for compliance structures in companies, while also highlighting certain aspects that can be fulfilled even by small companies in order to move towards a culture of compliance. Prof. Dr. Peter Fissenewert, Partner, Buse Heberer Fromm, then presented insights into the practice of designing and implementing compliance management systems, with a particular focus on small and medium-sized companies. The panel was moderated by Prof. Dr. Bartosz Makowicz, Viadrina Compliance Center, European University Frankfurt (Oder).

The following panel dealt with issues related to “Cross Border Controls, Customs and Integrity”. First, Mr. Promchai Snitwongse, Expert on Investigation and Suppression, and Mr. Kansakol Indrasawat, Senior Customs Officer, both from the Customs Department of Thailand, provided an overview of customs-related topics related to compliance and anti-corruption. Prof. Dr. Wieslaw Czyżowicz, Secretary of State of the Republic of Poland (ret.), Warsaw University of Economics, then particularly focused on the challenges for compliance on the national level posed by globalization as well as competing regulatory frameworks. Mr. Lino Arboleda, Export Control Specialist, GE Global Operations, Legal Shared Services Singapore, outlined international and domestic legal frameworks related to export control, highlighting the trade with dual-use goods. Finally, Mr. Thomas Thomas, Chief Executive Officer, ASEAN CSR Network, presented fundamental concepts and current developments of corporate social responsibility and its relevance for compliance and anti-corruption. The panel was moderated by Mr. Henning Glaser, Director, CPG.

The third panel of the first conference day was titled “Cross-Border Anti-Corruption Programs”. Ms. Elodie Beth, Regional Anti-Corruption Advisor, UNDP, Regional Asia Pacific Office Bangkok, introduced the audience to UNDP’s work related to the regional development and promotion of anti-corruption programs. Dr. Sirilaksana Khoman, Chair, Economic Sector Corruption Prevention, National Anti-Corruption Commission Thailand, then provided insights into the work of an anti-corruption officer and the particular challenges related to anti-corruption in the private sector. Ms. Christine Uriarte, Senior Legal Expert, OECD Anti-Corruption Division, outlined current international approaches to anti-corruption, highlighting the importance of international standards as laid down in conventions, agreements and common norms. Mr. Leas Bachatene, Chief Executive Officer, ethiXbase, gave a presentation on the practical challenges and solutions for businesses in the field of anti-corruption compliance with a particular highlight on cost-efficiency considerations. He was followed by Ms. Cynthia Gabriel, Center to Combat Corruption and Cronyism (C4), who presented current issues related to governmental and political corruption from a Malaysian perspective. The panel was moderated by Mr. Noor Naqschbandi, Director, Alliance for Integrity.

The second conference day hosted a panel on “Compliance Third Party Due Diligence”. The first speaker, Ms. Ng Lee Meng, Chief Legal and Compliance, Allianz Indonesia, presented fundamental issues and lessons learned related to third party due diligence in an international company. Mr. Ronald Goon, Senior Director Business Practices & Compliance, Johnson & Johnson Pharmaceuticals, provided practical insights and challenges of continuous third party diligence with a particular focus on decentralized distribution schemes. Subsequently, Mr. Leas Bachatene, Chief Executive Director, ethiXbase, introduced different levels of third party scrutiny as well as questions related to the cost efficiency of third party due diligence. Finally, Ms. Michelle Juan, Business Development Consultant, Asia Pacific, Trace International, outlined best practices in third party diligence with a focus on risk assessment, the notion of “red flags” and the proper management of third parties. The panel was moderated by Dr. Lasse Schuldt, CPG.

All panel presentations were followed by questions and answers as well as lively discussions between the speakers and the audience. The conference ended with a joint round of all speakers discussing the most important or controversial issues with the participants and the audience.

Dr. Quang Ly