UAE transparency tops Arab world

The UAE has taken the top spot among Arab countries on highest level of transparency, according to the Berlin-based Transparency International's2006 Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI).The Emirates CPI score was 6.2 points, ranking it 31st out of the 163 countries surveyed.The report reveals the degree of corruption as seen by business people and country analysts. The ranking ranges from a score of 10 - highly clean - to zero, which indicates a highly corrupt nation.

Qatar came second among Arab nations with 6.0 points. Syria and Iraq were last among the region's Arab countries, with scores of 2.9 and 1.9 respectively.A score of 5.0 is the number Transparency International considers the borderline figure distinguishing countries that do and do not have a serious corruption problem.The Index is based on studies conducted by 12 independent research houses to guarantee optimum objectivity and authenticity. The UAE's credibility score ranged between 5.6 and 6.9 on the index's scale."The report is an international testimony to the [UAE's] successful efforts in promoting the highest levels of transparency and corporate governance.The top ranking on an international index is a strong incentive to double our efforts to enhance the UAE's position among other leading countries that have achieved remarkable success in combating corruption." Mohammed Al Gergawi, Minister of State for Cabinet Affairs, was quoted in Gulf News."The UAE government adopts the best international corporate governance standards to ensure maximum transparency levels," he added.Taking the global top spots were Finland, Iceland and New Zealand, all revealing minimal corruption levels with 9.6 points each. Denmark and Singapore followed close behind with scores of 9.5 and 9.4, respectively.The Corruption Perceptions Index points to a strong correlation between corruption and poverty. It shows a concentration of the world's impoverished states at the bottom of the ranking. Source