Detailed Information :

People’s Republic of China

Year of Establishment: 2005

Project Phase: Long-term Initiative

Participants:

• Launched by the International Business Leaders Forum (IBLF) in partnership with the Renmin University of China.
• Initially funded by the UK Foreign & Commonwealth Office, BP, Shell, BHP Billiton, Siemens and GSK.
• The launch conference in 2005 was attended by 72 participants representing about 50 foreign and domestic companies, organizations, chambers of commerce and media.

Scope:

• Provides a regular quarterly Forum for Chinese and foreign business leaders to discuss the improvement of business standards both in China and internationally.
• Program has three focus areas: Knowledge exchange, Research & Information, Training.

Key Facts:

Description

• The China Business Leader Forum is a Principle-based Initiative and was established by the International Business Leaders Forum (IBLF) in partnership with the Renmin University of China.
• Its program activities mainly focus on knowledge exchange, research and information and training.

Objective

• To provide long-term continuous improvement of business standards.

Key Learning:

• China is generally perceived as a country with difficult conditions if it comes to anti-corruption initiatives. CBLF has proven that even there it is possible to install a forum on topics like anti-corruption and good governance.
• It is crucial not to position corruption as a problem of the political system but rather emphasize the positive contribution the private sector can make towards the overall development of the Chinese society

Mechanisms:

• A Steering Committee was formed with a representative from each of the participating companies or organizations to oversee the progress of the initiative and to determine its priorities.
• The Steering Committee meets as necessary (but at least semi annually) to consider the progress of the program implementation and to review reports from the Program Coordinator.
• Each of the participants agrees to support the Confirmed Action Program and to assist in achieving its common objectives by voluntarily contributing knowledge and information and an appropriate amount of staff time to attend meetings of the Steering Committee and roundtables.
• IBLF as facilitator discusses and agrees with each current participant the extent and nature of the contribution his or her company or organization can and should make to the program.
• A Beijing-based Program Coordinator ensures that progress is maintained
• Funding is provided by all participating companies.

Benefits:

• The forum has organized events and discussion rounds on topics of Corporate Governance and Transparency, such as "Transparency in Public Tendering", "Anti Corruption Forum" together with Transparency International, "Leadership" and "Stock Ownership of Senior Executives".
• It is being developed into the China Centre for International Business Standards.

Links:

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Sources:

• Website of initiative, Interviews with member companies and representative of IBLF