The Department of Home Affairs is seeking to give Isle of Man businesses a helping hand to comply with new legislation to combat bribery.
 
Comprehensive guidance information has been prepared to assist companies to do business competitively and fairly, and to put procedures in place to avoid committing an offence under the Bribery Act 2013.
 
The views of the local business community and wider Manx public are being invited as part of a consultation process on the draft guidance, in preparation for the Bribery Act being brought into operation later this year. Responses will be considered by the Department and, where appropriate, reflected in the final guidance document.
 
Home Affairs Minister Juan Watterson MHK said: ‘The Isle of Man is a responsible and cooperative nation that remains at the forefront of international standards. In promoting the Bribery Act, we are striving to further enhance this positive reputation, while supporting economic growth by not being overbearing in the bureaucracy for business.’
 
He added: ‘The guidance materials will help businesses of all sizes and from all sectors to understand their responsibilities under the Act and the measures they can put in place to prevent bribery. Commentary and case study examples provide practical assistance to businesses, and I look forward to receiving feedback on the document via the public consultation.’
 
The Department of Home Affairs intends to publish the guidance material at the same time as the Bribery Act comes into effect.
 
The Act itself largely mirrors the UK legislation and further demonstrates the Isle of Man’s commitment to stamping out corruption and supporting fair trade and international development.
 
Minister Watterson commented: ‘Addressing bribery is obviously good for business because it creates the conditions for free markets to flourish. In implementing this Act, the Island is striking a blow for the rule of law, international standards and the growth of trade. Our guidance document is intended as a helping hand to conduct business competitively and fairly both on and off the Island.’
 
The guidance document is available on the Government website at https://cf.gov.im/dha/ConsultationDetail.gov?id=396 and responses to the consultation can be emailed to dhaconsultation@gov.im or posted to Tom Bateman, Legislation Manager, Department of Home Affairs, Homefield, 88 Woodbourne Road, Douglas, IM2 3AP.
 
Comments must be received by Tuesday 15 October 2013.