A delegation from Kazakhstan's Anti-Corruption Agency, led by Chairman Askhat Zhumagali, met with Isabelle Jegouzo, the Director of the French Anti-Corruption Agency (AFA) and Guillaume Hézard, the Head of Central Office for the Fight Against Corruption and Financial and Tax Offenses (OCLCIFF), QazMonitor reports citing the press service of the Agency.
Both AFA and OCLCIFF are strategic partners of Kazakhstan’s Anti-corruption Agency in corruption prevention and investigation of corruption offenses. This partnership is set to address grand corruption cases that involve money laundering and fraudulent activities.
The parties reached an agreement to collaborate on anti-corruption projects, including initiatives aimed at fostering an anti-corruption culture among government officials.
The French Anti-Corruption Agency expressed interest in Kazakhstan's experience in the digitization of processes, which include the digitization of government procurement and other automated public services. These digitization efforts have contributed to the reduction of corruption by minimizing personal contact.
AFA is prepared to provide methodological assistance in automating processes and identifying potential high-risk individuals in the field of government procurement. The agency will also assist in the operations of call centers when corruption incidents are reported, including protection of whistleblowers.
The French agencies expressed their willingness to assist in developing regulatory documents that would comply with OECD standards, such as corporate liability for corruption and confiscating assets of unexplained origin.
Cooperation between Kazakhstan and France in the fight against corruption is expected to contribute to the strengthening of bilateral relations.