{"id":16195,"date":"2024-10-22T01:35:30","date_gmt":"2024-10-22T00:35:30","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/maritimafrica.com\/en\/?p=16195"},"modified":"2024-10-22T01:35:30","modified_gmt":"2024-10-22T00:35:30","slug":"macn-partners-with-usaid-and-the-private-sector-to-expand-anti-corruption-efforts-and-helpdesks-in-india-egypt-and-nigeria","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/maritimafrica.com\/en\/macn-partners-with-usaid-and-the-private-sector-to-expand-anti-corruption-efforts-and-helpdesks-in-india-egypt-and-nigeria\/","title":{"rendered":"MACN partners with USAID and the Private Sector to Expand Anti-Corruption Efforts and Helpdesks in India, Egypt, and Nigeria"},"content":{"rendered":"

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The\u00a0Maritime Anti-Corruption Network (MACN)<\/strong> recently announced that it has received two-year project funding from the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) under the \u201cDoing Business with Integrity\u201d activity. \u00a0This collaboration, part of USAID\u2019s Countering Transnational Corruption Grand Challenge for Development<\/a>, is set to strengthen the fight against transnational maritime sector corruption.<\/p>\n

This initiative is also supported by match funding from private sector leaders including\u00a0Maersk Line Ltd, Maersk, Lauritzen Fonden, DS Norden, Hafnia, Odfjell, JM Baxi<\/strong>, the\u00a0Institute of Export Operations and Management in Nigeria<\/strong>, as well as members of the\u00a0MACN Advisory Committee<\/strong>\u00a0in India<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

Through USAID\u2019s backing, MACN and its implementing partners\u00a0Eldib Pandi and the Convention on Business Integrity,\u00a0<\/em>will dramatically increase the number of companies and vessels using MACN\u2019s HelpDesk and will engage in dialogue with governments to address the root causes of maritime sector corruption. The HelpDesk is the only global mechanism that provides the maritime industry with a real-time escalation and resolution channel for corruption incidents in ports. To date, over 3,000 vessels have utilized the HelpDesk, with over 200 cases escalated due to bribery attempts. Some 99 percent of these cases have been resolved without any bribery payments.<\/p>\n

Over the course of this project, HelpDesk access will be expanded in India, Egypt, and Nigeria. The project will be implemented beyond the major international hubs of India (Mumbai, Chennai), Nigeria (Lagos), and Egypt (Suez Canal) to engage more local companies and activities. Coverage will be expanded into 12 major ports in India, the major port cities in Egypt (Alexandria, Port Sa\u00efd), and Nigeria (Lagos, Calabar, and Port Harcourt).<\/p>\n

It is estimated the expanded HelpDesk will provide essential support to more than\u00a0200 vessels in Nigeria<\/strong>,\u00a01,600 vessels in India<\/strong>, and\u00a0180 vessels in Egypt<\/strong>, allowing companies and their local supply chain partners to resolve corrupt incidents in partnership with government agencies. Additionally, compliance training for\u00a0local SMEs<\/strong>\u00a0in these countries will be a key focus, helping to enforce compliance standards across the supply chain and building local expertise on anti-corruption practices.<\/p>\n

Private sector support<\/strong>\u00a0is instrumental in strengthening MACN\u2019s collective action platforms in each country. This new phase will see the creation of a\u00a0centralized HelpDesk data platform<\/strong>\u00a0to automate data collection and analysis, allowing for better dissemination of information and the identification of common corruption risks.<\/p>\n

The MACN Anti-Corruption HelpDesk has received widespread industry support, with increasing numbers of companies and vessels leveraging its services to actively reject corruption. The data shows that the HelpDesk is not only an effective tool for resolving corruption incidents but also a critical prevention mechanism. For example, in Nigeria, shipowners using the HelpDesk have seen a dramatic reduction in operational costs, with savings from approximately\u00a0$150,000<\/strong>\u00a0to\u00a0$20,000<\/strong>\u00a0per port call by avoiding delays, unnecessary paperwork, and corrupt demands.<\/p>\n

MACN\u2019s partnership with USAID marks a significant step forward in the global effort to combat corruption in the maritime industry and beyond, ensuring a more transparent, efficient, and ethical business environment.<\/p>\n

About MACN:<\/strong><\/p>\n

The Maritime Anti-Corruption Network (MACN) is a global business network working to eliminate corruption in the maritime industry. Through collective action and collaboration with key stakeholders, MACN empowers companies to combat corruption and promote fair trade practices.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n

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