How to
differentiate between levels of corruption in different east European states?
Here is the take of one healthcare investor who knows the region well.
In Poland
you very rarely come across serious corruption. Yes, patients take presents or
give small tips to their doctor. But this is really a gift culture, it is about
being polite.
It is like tipping
someone who has parked your car at a car valeting place. There is always a risk
that if you don’t tip they might damage it in some way.It is unlikely, but why take the risk?Otherwise, within the public sector bribes
are unusual.
In Romania
you have a similar culture to India. Civil servants are not paid enough, so
they will hold up every bit of paperwork until you pay them a small sum. It is
about greasing the wheels. Do I like it? No? Could I live with it – probably.
In Bulgaria
you have real corruption. You can pay people to do criminal things. In Romania,
it would be hard to bribe an inspector to keep open a clinic which doesn’t
reach safety standards. In Bulgaria, it would be routine. This means that in
Bulgaria your competitors can and will bribe local authorities to close you
down. You are in direct competition with a local mafia. Would I be happy with
that?No. That’s why I wouldn’t invest
in Bulgaria.
