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Moscow (pte033/04.03.2003/13:22) - Russians shell out more than 27 billion euros a year in bribes with the average citizen paying almost a tenth of their wages in bribes, a local newspaper has claimed.
The average Russian spends over ten euros a month on bribes - roughly one tenth of the average monthly salary in the country, local daily 'Pravda' http://english.pravda.ru/ reported.
Bribery in the business sector runs to more than 14 billion euros with "everyday corruption" among ordinary citizens estimated at 2.9 billion euros.
Among the bribes commonly offered are "incentives" for traffic police to avoid fines and legal action over Highway Code violations, smaller bribes in registering official documents and payments to health care workers for good hospital care.
While it is difficult to estimate just how great a role bribery play in business for foreign and domestic companies in Russia, many sources point to corruption as a significant factor.
Groups like the Center for Business Ethics and Corporate Governance in St. Petersburg http://www.ethicsrussia.org have been trying to curb corruption in business by establishing principles and holding international meetings on integrity in business conduct.
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