UAE's anti-corruption measures praised

An international team of experts has finished reviewing the UAE's measures to combat corruption, the state news agency, Wam, reported yesterday.

The group was evaluating the country's compliance with the United Nations Convention Against Corruption and will identify ways the UAE can improve.

The team hailed the steps taken to prevent corruption but also stressed a need for additional legal tools, such as ways to protect witnesses and informants.

They were assisted by a group of national experts assembled by the UAE State Audit Institution (SAI).

Last year, the President, Sheikh Khalifa, ordered the SAI to draft an anti-corruption law applying the principles of the UN convention.

Last February the SAI said it had uncovered 10 cases in which more than Dh1 billion of public funds were misappropriated, and referred the cases to the public prosecution.

In this year's Corruption Perceptions Index, by Berlin-based Transparency International, the UAE ranked as the world's 27th cleanest country, tied with Qatar, scoring 68 out of 100.

Denmark, Finland and New Zealand topped the list, scoring 90. Afghanistan, North Korea and Somalia were last, scoring just eight.

newsdesk@thenational.ae