Saudi Arabia improves position in anti-corruption league table

Saudi Arabia has jumped five places in an international transparency index following a slew of reforms. (Reuters)

LONDON: Saudi Arabia’s position in Transparency International’s Corruption Perception Index (CPI) has continued to improve with the country jumping five places in the index.
In total, 180 countries were ranked on the basis of a number of best practice indicators, including international standards linked to business ethics.
Saudi Arabia jumped to 57 in 2017 from 62 in the previous year.
KSA’s performance comes in the wake of efforts by the government to fight corruption, which has seen the country take a number of important initiatives such as setting up the National Anti-Corruption Commission in November 2017.
According to data released by the global anti-corruption organization, KSA’s overall score was 49 out of 100. Among Arab countries, Saudi Arabia improved its ranking to third in the region, with a higher score than the regional average of 33.
The recognition comes at a time of rapid development for Saudi Arabia, as it vigorously pursues its ambitious Vision 2030 agenda.
Top Saudi officials hailed the report: “We are dedicated to achieving the objectives in the Vision 2030 plan, which includes improving transparency and accountability in every facet of our government, and this report shows we’re making progress,” said Minister of Economy and Planning Mohammed Al-Tuwaijri.
He added: “Saudi Arabia’s use of The National Center for Performance Measurement (Adaa) to independently benchmark the performance of our public entities is one of many tools we can credit with improving our global standing.”
The 2017 CPI report found that the global average corruption score at 43 was unchanged, with improvements hard to spot from a global standpoint, KSA’s score had increased to 49 from 46 since 2016, according to the findings.