The Growthfund and the NTA signed an Anti-Corruption Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) which provides for a series of actions and initiatives.
The Growthfund and the NTA are laying the foundations for a multi-level cooperation, the main purpose of which is the exchange of best recommendations, practices and know-how in the areas of business ethics, integrity and internal audit.
At the same time, the cooperation between the Growthfund and the NTA will focus on the development of new policies, the evaluation and implementation of existing practices and tools that enhance transparency and accountability, as well as the development of a methodology to assess the risks of corruption and fraud, developing an appropriate plan for their management. The two institutions agreed to jointly organise training seminars on business ethics and internal audit. It was also decided to provide access for NTA executives to the e-learning platform of the Growthfund, which provides comprehensive programmes on business ethics.
The MoU was signed at a special ceremony held at the offices of the Growthfund by the NTA Governor, Mr. Angelos Binis, the CEO of the Growthfund, Mr. Gregory D. Dimitriadis and his Deputy, Mr. Stephanos Yourelis, the Chairman of the Audit Committee and Member of the BoD of the Company, Mr. Lorentziadis, and Mrs Giovanna Kampouri, Member of the BoD and Chairman of the Corporate Governance Committee of the Growthfund.
As Mr. Binis said: “Today, cooperation between the Growthfund and the NTA is being strengthened to promote the principles of integrity, transparency and accountability through five thematic actions focusing on the challenges faced by public enterprises. The NTA is implementing a series of actions that contribute to the prevention, deterrence and detection of corruption in the activities of public and private institutions and organisations”.
The new strategy of the Growthfund puts into practice the adoption of modern corporate governance principles, common to all its subsidiaries, with coordinated interventions and high-level institutional cooperation with the competent the NTA. 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.
A modern system of Internal Audit, management of reports and complaints (whistleblowing) in all subsidiaries, which can be used by the NTA as well, is already being completed in Growthfund. This represents a strategy to safeguard transparency, optimal operation and ultimately the efficiency of its companies in the public interest.