Macao adopts bill against corruption in external trade

Macao's lawmakers have adopted a bill to curb corrupts act related to external trade, under which offenders could receive a jail term up to three years or fines, the Macao Daily reported on Thursday.

The bill on preventing and curbing bribery in external trade, passed unanimously by the Legislative Assembly on Wednesday, stipulates that anyone who offers bribery to foreign officials in exchange for a trade deal could be found guilty.

The bill also targets bribery given to officials of the Chinese mainland, Hong Kong and Taiwan, as well as officials with international organizations.

It authorizes the Commission Against Corruption to investigate any corrupt acts related to external trade, the report said.

The bill will come into effect on Jan. 1, 2015.