Embarking on an international M&A transaction can be an
exhilarating time for any company, although there are a host of
business and legal issues involved in choosing an appropriate
target. One issue that often gets overlooked is the target
company's anti-corruption and bribery practices. As Canadian
companies continue to grab up international market space, they must
be wary of the hidden practices of their partnering company.
Why consider anti-corruption and bribery practices?
According to a PricewaterhouseCoopers article, an increasing
number of Canadian companies are looking overseas for expansion
opportunities. In fact, 40% of Canadian CEOs see their growth
coming from joint ventures, strategic alliances or through M&A,
while only 20% of CEOs globally share the same view. As well,
Canada's largest and most prominent companies are leaders in
industries deemed most susceptible to bribery by Transparency International: mining,
infrastructure development, and oil
