Azimuth Anti-Bribery and Corruption Manual Version 1.0
Azimuth Anti-Bribery and Corruption Manual Version 1.0
Azimuth Anti-Bribery and Corruption Manual Version 1.0
This Manual for complying with laws that prohibit bribery of Government Officials and private
individuals in the conduct of international business is owned by the Azimuth Managing Director
(MD).
Businesses and Functions must ensure that all employees, directors, officers, contract staff and seconders
in Azimuth Company adopt the requirements of this Manual. Contractors or consultants who are
working on AZIMUTH behalf or in AZIMUTH’s name will be required to act consistently with this Manual
when acting on AZIMUTH behalf.
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Contents
1. Overview........................................................................................................................ 3
AZIMUTH is subject to national and international laws prohibiting bribery and corruption. Iraq has anti-
bribery laws. As the securities of some of the shareholders of AZIMUTH are traded in the Hungary,
AZIMUTH employees, companies and joint ventures must comply with the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act
as well as Iraqi law.
The Anti-bribery and Corruption Manual (ABC Manual) covers these external requirements and
AZIMUTHs own rules to mitigate bribery and corruption risks. The Manual sets out stringent mandatory
procedures which are critical to ensure compliance with all applicable laws and regulations. The
application of this Manual is mandatory for AZIMUTH. Further detail and guidance on specific topics are
available from the AZIMUTH Ethics and Compliance Officer (ECO).
Turning a blind eye to suspicions of bribery and corruption can result in liability for AZIMUTH and for
individuals. Employees and contract staff can face fines and imprisonment for breaches of the law and
may be subject to disciplinary action including employment or contract termination.
Businesses and Functions are accountable for assessing the risks of legal and ethical non-compliance and
for implementing relevant actions to address the risks identified. They are accountable for compliance
with the mandatory requirements of this Manual and must ensure that:
Thorough due diligence is carried out and the correct approvals are sought before
appointing a Government Intermediary.
Employees know when and how to record to the Code of Conduct Register and know
when to record gifts and hospitality and conflicts of interest.
Any requests for the funding of social investment activities are legitimate and cannot be
perceived by a third party to influence a AZIMUTH business outcome.
Payments are not made to political parties.
The HR Department and Ethics and Compliance Officer have provided approval before
recruiting a family member of a Government Official.
Businesses and Functions must ensure that their employees, business partners, contractors and suppliers
exposed to bribery and corruption risks understand their responsibilities, know how to report actual or
suspected corruption. At all times accurate accounts and records of business transactions must be kept
and all contracting and procurement activities must follow the Contracting and Procurement Processes
Manual (CPPM).
The Manual builds on the AZIMUTH General Business Principles and the Code of Conduct and forms part
of the AZIMUTH Control Framework. The Managing Director of AZIMUTH is the owner of this Manual. If a
Business or Function needs an interpretation of this Manual they should consult the AZIMUTH Ethics and
Compliance Officer. If a Business or Function requires an exception to the requirements of this Manual
then they should first consult the AZIMUTH Ethics and Compliance Officer and a proposal must then be
made via the Ethics and Compliance Officer to the Managing Director and Chairman of the Higher
Management Committee (HMC) for review and appropriate approval.
2. Activities subject to mandatory requirements
This section sets out mandatory instructions that must be followed A Government Intermediary
for specific types of activities. is any person, company, firm
or joint venture that is
engaged in any way to
2.1 Appointing Government Intermediaries represent AZIMUTH before a
Businesses and Functions must ensure that: Government Official or to
Any warning signs or causes for concern (red flags) raised obtain any benefit from a
through due diligence are resolved prior to issuing a Government Official,
tender to the Government Intermediary; and including an intermediary
Engagement of a Government Intermediary is only nominated by a Government
approved by the managing director. but paid by AZIMUTH.
However, attorneys
Prior to appointing any Government Intermediary, Businesses representing AZIMUTH in
and Functions must apply the following procedure: private litigation are not
considered Government
1. Ensure pre-qualification has taken place in accordance with Intermediaries for purposes of
the existing requirements set out in the CPPM this Manual, provided that
2. Carry out due diligence in line with the risk criteria detailed in neither the Government nor a
the requirements for Appointing an Intermediary before Government Official is a party
issuing the tender; to the litigation.
3. Prepare an engagement memorandum (see Appointing
an Intermediary for the mandatory support of the MD Government Intermediaries
detailing: include:
a) The due diligence carried out on the potential - Commercial agents:
company and its officers; consultants, business
b) The qualifications of the Government Intermediary agents, distributors or
for the scope of work to be tendered; other persons, including
c) The reasonableness of the fees to be paid; and joint ventures or joint
d) Identified red flags, describing how each red flag venture partners, engaged
has been resolved. to assist in obtaining
4. Use only written contracts with the appointed Government Government contracts or
Intermediary, which include the clauses in the requirements concessions.
for Appointing an Intermediary. Any deviation from the - Processing agents:
standard clauses must be approved by the ECO. couriers, freight
5. Declare as a Record in the due diligence file, engagement forwarders, customs
memorandum, certificates from the Government agents, visa processors
Intermediary (if any), management approval, agreement or persons providing
and advice and support given by the MD similar services
6. Ensure contract holders follow the requirements of the - Professional agents:
CPPM (as above); and attorneys, accountants,
7. For contracts already in place, follow the above procedure lobbyists or other
upon renewal of contract or every three years, whichever persons engaged on a
comes first. professional basis to
represent AZIMUTH in
If during an engagement it becomes known or suspected that the Government business or
engaged Government Intermediary has made or will make a corrupt to lobby for a change in
payment to a Government Official all payments to the Government law.
Intermediary must immediately be stopped and the matter referred
to the AZIMUTH MD via the ECO.
The above rules apply equally to any proposed subcontracts and assignments. Consent to subcontracting
or assignment may not be given until the appropriate due diligence has been carried out on the proposed
subcontractor or assignee (either by AZIMUTH or the principal contractor).
2.2 Awarding contracts to contractors or suppliers
Businesses and Functions must ensure that all their procurement activities follow the existing
requirements set out in the CPPM. Following the CPPM ensures that:
1. Contractors and suppliers are made aware of the AZIMUTH General Business Principles and
AZIMUTH Code of Conduct.
2. All contracts include the required clauses relating to the principles and the AZIMUTH Code of
Conduct;
3. Due diligence is undertaken where this is mandatory (see Chapter 2.1) before inviting them to
tender and contractors or suppliers confirm (at the pre-qualification stage) their understanding of
the requirements of the principles; and
4. The tender board process is followed to ensure transparency.
When the service is being provided in Iraq and the cumulative contract value exceeds USD100,000
(or its equivalent in another currency) within a 12 month period or when the scope of work or
contract changes and the:
1. Ensure the potential contractor or supplier provides the following pre-qualification information:
a) Any affiliations with Government Officials. If the contractor or supplier is a
Government Intermediary the requirements in Chapter 2.1 must be followed;
The above rules apply equally to any proposed subcontracts and assignments. Consent to subcontracting
or assignment may not be given until the appropriate due diligence has been carried out on the proposed
subcontractor or assignee (either by AZIMUTH or the principal contractor).
2.3 Offering or receiving Gifts and Hospitality (G&H)
Businesses and Functions must ensure that:
G&H never influence or be perceived to influence a business decision;
Any G&H offered or received are reasonable and proportionate;
Prohibited G&H are never offered or received; and
Per diem payments (also known as: daily allowances) are
Prohibited G&H
never offered as an alternative to gifts, meals, lodging,
Illegal or inappropriate
entertainment or travel-related expenses unless: i) required
by contract or local Government regulation, and ii) an ECO Cash or cash
has advised that doing so is acceptable. equivalents Loans
Personal services
Also, regarding Government Officials, Businesses and Functions must
never offer/agree to:
Pay costs for additional days of travel to tourist
Events/meals where
destinations or private visits; or the business partner is absent
G&H that is or can be linked to important business decisions during sensitive decision per
Pay costs for family members/guests unless advised by the ECO
that doing so is acceptable (Note: total costs for the
Government Official and their family members/ guests should be
attributed to the Government Official as a single sum in
determining whether registration or the additional
memorandum procedures below are required).
AZIMUTH employees are not allowed to substitute the provision of gifts, hospitality and
travel-related expenses to Government Officials with a "per diem" payment, unless
expressly required by local law or regulation. AZIMUTH Legal advice should be sought prior
to paying any “per diem” pursuant
to local law or regulation
All employees must record in the Code of Conduct Register and get line approval for:
All G&H that could be perceived as creating a conflict of interest, accepted or declined;
All G&H from any third party valued at USD150 (or its equivalent in another currency) or
greater, accepted or declined;
All G&H to a private/commercial individual valued at USD150 (or its equivalent in another
currency) or greater, accepted or declined; and
All G&H to a Government Official valued at USD20 (or its equivalent in another currency) or
greater, accepted or declined.
Additionally, where the value offered by AZIMUTH to a Government Official is USD150 (or its equivalent
in another currency) or greater, the following procedures are required:
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Approvals for entertaining Government Officials on multiple occasions - The memorandum may cover a series of related meetings (an
“umbrella” approval) within a calendar year. The actual expenditure associated with each of these meetings must be entered
into the Code of Conduct Register and all receipts must be retained.
e) Any facts that could cause an impartial observer to perceive the expenditure could obtain
an improper business advantage; and
f) The business reasons for the expenditure;
2. Obtain the mandatory support of the ECO for the above memorandum; the support is
required; failing this, step 3 may NOT be taken.
3. Seek approval from MD and
4. Declare the memorandum, support from the ECO and MD approval as a Record.
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influenced by that Government Official or the
Government Official’s agency, ministry or
department.
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The memorandum must be sent to the ECO for review and mandatory support as to whether the
investment should proceed and then to management with the appropriate level of authority as
defined in the Manual of Authorities for written approval AND must cover:
3. Declare the certificates and/or memorandum, due diligence documentation, and support from
the ECO and MD approval as Records.
ABC Clauses are included where a contract is in place or ABC Principles are signed
where a contract is not in place.
2.6 Political Payments and Industry Associations
Businesses and Functions must ensure that payments from AZIMUTH funds or resources are never
made to political parties, political organizations or their representatives either directly or via third
parties such as Industry Associations.
Political payments that are classed as “In-kind contributions” such as the use of company
facilities, resources, funds or premises for the purpose of political activities such as rallies,
campaigns, elections or political speeches are not permitted. If such requests from governments,
political parties, organizations or their representatives are made, the MD must be consulted.
Candidates running for political office should be treated as a Government Official and thus any Gifts &
Hospitality to/from them individually must meet the requirements in Chapter 2.3.
The employee who manages the AZIMUTH Corporate membership of an Industry Association must
follow these additional instructions:
If either of these requirements are not met, then the ECO must be consulted on whether or how to
proceed with the membership.
2.7 Recruitment of employees, contract staff and seconders
The recruitment of family members of National or Local Government Officials can create the impression of
impropriety (trying to obtain an unfair advantage), even when there is none and even when the recruit is
properly qualified for the position for which they have been hired.
Where a COI has been identified as part of the recruitment process, the person recruiting the individual
must inform the Ethics and Compliance, who will then discuss with the HR Manager, how to proceed
and what mitigating actions need to be considered. If any successful applicant has a COI, they must
make a declaration in the Code of Conduct Register once they start in the role.
Accordingly, great care has to be taken when considering the recruitment of family members of
any Government Officials. Where such a situation arises, it must be brought to the attention of the
Head of the HR Department and the ECO before progressing. Together they will advise appropriately
having consulted the GM when necessary.
2.8 Mergers and Acquisitions
Due diligence for Mergers and Acquisition transactions must include due diligence for compliance with
anti- bribery laws.
1) The relevant line manager and Compliance Officer must be immediately informed of
the request and actions taken.
Where a Facilitation Payment has been made it must be accurately recorded in expense
accounts and must be reported as noted above.
The following are not Facilitation Payments but must be reported as noted above and
recorded in accounts:
Facilitation Payments
Businesses and Functions are accountable for determining their key legal and ethical compliance risks,
implementation of the anti-bribery and corruption program in terms of training, control improvements and
the operation of the controls and for providing assurance on compliance with this Manual. Businesses and
Functions will assess the risks of legal and ethical non-compliance and ensure these are considered
where relevant to plans, decisions and operations. They will monitor, communicate and report changes in
the risk environment.
The ABC compliance program requirements will be established and communicated by the Ethics and
Compliance Function through the AZIMUTH Control Framework, via foundation elements (AZIMUTH
General Business Principles, Code of Conduct, Statement on Risk Management Standards/Manuals) and
processes (delegation of authority, strategy/planning/appraisal, assurance/compliance). Businesses and
Functions are responsible for taking actions to manage the identified risks in a sustainable manner. They
are also responsible for allocating and funding the resources required to support the implementation of the
compliance program.
The Ethics and Compliance Officer will monitor processes for capturing and tracking allegations and
investigations. They will review and analyses incident data and investigation performance and outcomes.
4. Glossary
Ethics and Compliance The ECO:
Officer (ECO) Is responsible for defining the risks and legal and ethical requirements
for anti-bribery and corruption to mitigate the risks;
Incorporates these requirements in this Manual and Guidelines
as appropriate;
Approves Memoranda as required by this Manual;
Provides content material for training on the topic for both awareness and
knowledge levels and ensure changes in relevant legislation are assessed
and relevant materials and training are updated;
Provides advice to the Businesses and Functions on legal issues
relating to anti-bribery and corruption and provide appropriate briefings
to the legal community at country level.
Responsible for defining the risks and legal and ethical requirements for
G&H and providing advice to the Businesses and Functions on legal
issues relating to G&H.
Where necessary the ECO has access to external specialist resources.
Facilitation Payment A minor payment made to induce a (usually low level) Government Official to
perform a routine duty which that person is already obliged to perform and
where that payment exceeds what is properly due. AZIMUTH does not allow
Facilitation
Payments.
Gifts and Hospitality Includes (but is not limited to) gifts, travel, accommodation, trips, services,
(G&H) entertainment, and any other gratuitous item, event, benefit or thing of value
received from or offered to any person in connection with AZIMUTH business.
Political Payment Contributions to any political campaign, political party, political candidate,
or any of their affiliated organizations;
Expenditure related to political lobbying;
Expenditure related to memberships of Industry Associations that
undertake political activity and / or political payments;
Any contributions that could be perceived to be any of the above
Red flag Term that denotes various attention indicators and signals, both explicit and
implicit that warrant further investigation.
Record A sub-set of information created or received as evidence of a business
activity, or required for legal, tax, regulatory or accounting purposes, or of
importance to the AZIMUTH’s business or corporate memory. Records may
exist on paper, as physical
items, as images or be stored in an electronically readable or audible format.
Social Investment See Chapter 2.5.
Sponsorship See Chapter 2.5.