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Economist warns of corruption threat from Russian corporations

 

Former presidential candidate Yaraslaw Ramanchuk expressed concern on Monday that the scale of government corruption may increase dramatically in Belarus following Russian large corporations' expansion to the country.

Speaking at a round-table conference in Minsk, the economist warned that Russian businesses would try to bribe Belarusian government officials. "If a government official rejects small bribes, that does not mean that he will turn down an offer that will be tens of times as much. It's hard not to be bought by serious Russian money," he said.

The expert added that Belarus was not high on the list of Russian tycoons' interests so far but warned that "if Russia starts buying government officials, that would pose a real threat to Lukashenka."

Lew Marholin, deputy chairman of the United Civic Party, predicted that closer economic ties with Russia would lead to an increase in corruption in Belarus. "If they steal, they steal much in Russia. This may corrupt Belarusian government officials. There are loopholes in the Common Economic Zone that will help conduct illegal schemes," he said. // BelaPAN