Book on trade with Russia gives instructions on bribery
Ministry of Trade and Industry criticises work
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The Finnish-Russian Chamber of Commerce, which was set up to promote trade between Finland and Russia, has published a book which gives Finnish business people detailed advice on the ins and outs of the culture of bribery in Russian business.
The book, by Mira Haapaniemi, Maisa Moijanen, and Kirsi Muradjan was written specifically for the business community. According to the book's foreword, its goal is to offer practical information and knowhow. The book contains interviews with Finnish entrepreneurs who remain anonymous.
Finland's Ministry of Trade and Industry has taken a critical view of the book's "excessively stark realism".
"If you decide to offer a bribe, it must be done in a subtle manner, absolutely without any witnesses, or preferably through a Russian go-between", is the advice of one Finnish businessman quoted in the book.
The parts of the book dealing with bribery caused some consternation at the Ministry of Trade and industry, which helps finance the operations of the Finnish-Russian Chamber of Commerce. This year the ministry has budgeted over EUR 430,000 for the purpose.
At the ministry's marketing department, which is responsible for the promotion of Finnish exports, deputy section chief Henrik Räihä says that it is all right to describe the operational environment that prevails in Russia, but not in the way that the book does.
"Now the reader gets the impression that it is impossible to succeed in Russia without bribery", Räihä says.
"I understand the aim of the writers, but the final result now is bad. This gives the impression that there is no point in complaining about the culture of bribery", Räihä says.
Mirja Azeem, the managing director of the Finnish-Russian Chamber of Commerce, says that the book simply depicts the experiences of Finnish businesspeople in Russia.
"Bribery is very common in Russia, and we do not take a moral stand on it", Azeem says.
She adds that her organisation is often asked about bribery in Russia. She says that companies mainly want to know where the boundary lies between a business gift and a bribe.
"It is a line drawn in water. We cannot say. The matter is up to each individual to decide according to the conscience and business culture in each case", Azeem says.
She adds that "hundreds of copies" of the book have been sold since its publication in the spring of 2003.
The Finnish-Russian Chamber of Commerce has offices in Moscow and St. Petersburg. The organisation has 700 corporate members, 600 of which are Finnish companies.
The Chairman of the Board is Matti Vuoria, CEO of the pension insurance company Varma. The board has a number of key corporate executives, including Antti Herlin, Chairman of the Board of the elevator manufacturer Kone.
Also sharply criticising the book is Jukka Heinonen, deputy CEO of the retail chain Stockmann.
"I considered the association to be an organisation worth taking seriously, but now its judgement has seriously lapsed.
Stockmann has had operations in Russia for 15 years. Now it has three department stores in Moscow and some outlets in St. Petersburg.
"Knowledge and know-how are necessary, but giving detailed instructions on bribery is not wise, nor is it healthy. There are tremendous risks when you start playing that game", Heinonen says.
Although he recognises that bribery is very common in Russia, Heinonen insists that it is possible to succeed honestly as well.
Helsingin Sanomat
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| 21.1.2005 - TODAY |
 Book on trade with Russia gives instructions on bribery |
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