An important partnership agreement that enhances transparency and effective internal audit procedures was signed by the National Transparency Authority (NTA) and the Hellenic Development Bank (HDB).
The MoC aims at a multi-level cooperation that includes updating the Code of Ethics & Conduct for the HDB executives, developing Integrity Policies (e.g. policy for avoiding conflict of interest), providing expertise for the protection of interests through the establishment of an internal reporting channel. It will also strengthen HDB's internal audit processes while providing access to the National Transparency Authority's Internal Public Auditor Network.
The next stage will be training activities aimed at raising awareness of integrity and internal audit issues among HDB staff.
Welcoming the President and CEO, Ms. Athena Chatzipetrou and the Hellenic Development Bank staff team, the Interim Governor of the National Transparency Authority, Ms. Alexandra Rogkakou, noted “Our common goal is to strengthen the internal audit and accountability mechanisms and procedures of the Hellenic Development Bank. The main pillars of our cooperation will be the exchange of know-how and methodological tools of Internal Audit, as well as the design and implementation of training activities to raise awareness among HDB executives on integrity and transparency issues”.
For her part, Hellenic Development Bank’s President and CEO Ms. Athina Chatzipetrou said the signing of today's memorandum of understanding, we are laying the foundations for a momentous partnership. Our goal is common to develop new policies, new practices and modern tools that will strengthen integrity, meritocracy, internal audit and above all business ethics in a consistent and responsible manner.
The signing of the Memorandum is the culmination of the already very good cooperation between the two sides, of their mutual understanding and common will to promote transparency and best practices in corporate governance.