Business Integrity Session with SMEs - February 2024 in Faridabad, Haryana
India
Video
Corruption poses a significant challenge to businesses globally, impacting companies of all sizes, and small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) are especially vulnerable. In India, SMEs account for 96 per cent of industrial units, contribute 30 per cent of GDP, 45 per cent of to manufacturing and 40 per cent of exports and employ more than 113 million people. Due to their scale, diverse nature and vital role in the economy, SMEs are crucial in advancing integrity and transparency in business.
Mission
The Collective Action initiative in India, under the Golden Stretch Funding Round, aims to advance anti-corruption strategies and foster responsible business practices within SMEs by addressing integrity challenges specific to SMEs and developing effective solutions through capacity-building programs, round-table discussions, business meetings, thematic events and comprehensive research and publications.
Under the
Third Funding Round, the initiative aims to enhance
transparency, accountability and value-based healthcare through collective action. It focuses on engaging stakeholders, advocating for policy reforms and building sector capacity to combat corruption. Key efforts include community outreach, policy dialogues, targeted training, research and publications, all aimed at creating a more ethical and effective healthcare system
Collaborative efforts
Partnerships with organizations such as the Alliance for Integrity and the Partnership for Transparency Foundation India (PTFI) have been instrumental in promoting the initiative and expanding its influence among SMEs. Additionally, efforts are underway to achieve accreditation as the National Hub for Alliance for Integrity. By leveraging collaborations with business and management associations like the Integrated Association of Micro Small & Medium Enterprises of India (IamSMEofIndia) and the All India Management Association (AIMA), the initiative has effectively addressed integrity challenges and promoted collective action across several cities in India.
Built partnerships with key organizations, including the Ministry of Health, PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry and Merck -India, supporting events like the World Sustainability and ESG Summit and the National Conclave on Good Governance.
Looking ahead
The initiative will focus on embedding ESG measures in SMEs, emphasizing governance, transparency and accountability. Future plans include publishing a report on compliance evolution and hosting a national conference to assess the impact of business integrity on SMEs. The goal is to build a robust network and leverage international partnerships to drive sustainable business practices.
Future efforts will focus on engaging policymakers to enhance transparency and accountability in healthcare, providing targeted training for healthcare professionals and increasing community involvement in healthcare decisions. Additionally, fostering public-private partnerships and supporting research and innovation will be key to advancing value-based healthcare and improving health outcomes.
Main accomplishments
- Conducted a virtual Ideation Meeting in June 2022 to develop a strategy and roadmap for promoting transparency and accountability in the SME sector.
- Organized two full-day sessions of Anti-Corruption Collective Action Playbook training in September 2022 for a diverse group of participants from SMEs and other sectors.
- Mobilized SMEs through business associations, leveraging their networks to promote collective action and integrity in various Indian cities.
- Held Business Integrity Sessions in SME clusters and Tier 2 cities to discuss collective action and promote ESG principles, leveraging local networks for effective outreach.
- Formed an ACCA Working Group with 69 members from various sectors to advance the ACCA initiative, advocate with policymakers and engage stakeholders, meeting bimonthly.
- Developed and submitted a Project Roadmap to the UN Global Compact outlining strategies to tackle healthcare sector corruption, receiving recognition for its effectiveness
- Published a Best Practice Compendium on Anti-Corruption for Healthcare and other relevant sectors, which has been integrated into policies and systems by various organizations.
