QATAR LEAST CORRUPT IN MENA, SAYS TRANSPARENCY INTERNATIONAL

By Muin Abdul Majid

DUBAI, Oct 27 (Bernama) -- Qatar is the least corrupt country in the Middle
East and North Africa (MENA), followed by the United Arab Emirates (UAE),
according to Transparency International.

In its Corruption Perceptions Index 2010 which surveyed 178 countries, Qatar
was ranked 19th globally while the UAE was in 28th position, the latter having
moved up two spots from the previous index.

The CPI ranked the UAE higher than Oman (41), Bahrain (48), Saudi Arabia
(50) and Kuwait (54).

Denmark, New Zealand and Singapore were tied at the top of the global
rankings, followed closely by Finland and Sweden.

At the bottom was Somalia, slightly trailing Myanmar, Afghanistan and Iraq.

Transparency International defines corruption as the abuse of entrusted
power for private gain.

This definition encompasses corrupt practices in both the public and private
sectors.

The CPI ranks countries according to perception of corruption in the public
sector.
-- BERNAMA