AustroCham Joins Key Hong Kong Advisory Committee to Strengthen Business Ethics

HONG KONG – In a move that underscores the international business community’s commitment to corporate integrity, the Austrian Chamber of Commerce Hong Kong & Macau (AustroCham) has become a member of the Hong Kong Business Ethics Development Advisory Committee (BEDAC). This appointment grants AustroCham a voice in guiding the initiatives of the Hong Kong Business Ethics Development Centre (HKBDC), a pivotal body in promoting ethical governance in the region.

The HKBDC was established by the Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC) in partnership with major chambers of commerce to collaborate with the business community in promoting business ethics and good governance as fundamental safeguards against corruption and fraud.

AustroCham’s membership on BEDAC connects the Austrian business community directly with the Centre’s long-standing mission. For 25 years, the HKBDC has been a driving force in the local business scene, having assisted more than 10,000 business organizations and provided ethics training to over a million business practitioners and professionals.

“Good governance means good business,” is the central philosophy of the HKBDC. The Centre provides a range of free services to help companies build a strong ethical culture, which includes offering free consultancy to implement corporate ethics programmes, organizing training workshops on anti-corruption laws, and assisting companies in formulating and reviewing their codes of conduct.

Key services offered by the HKBDC that AustroCham members can now benefit from and help shape:

• Ethics Consultancy: Free, tailored advice to implement corporate ethics programs and build ethical culture. Assists startups, SMEs, and listed companies.
• Training & Workshops: Enhances staff knowledge on anti-corruption law, integrity management, and ethical decision-making. Over 70 trade bodies recognize its training for professional development.
• Code of Conduct Development: Aids companies in formulating and reviewing behavioral standards and company codes.
• Resource Provision: Publishes practical guides, videos, and training packages on ethics and corruption prevention. Offers materials for various trades and professionals like accountants and lawyers

As a BEDAC member, AustroCham will join representatives from other major chambers in guiding the HKBDC’s work. This role is crucial in sustaining the public-private partnership model that has been a hallmark of Hong Kong’s success in fostering a clean business environment. The committee helps ensure the Centre’s resources and initiatives remain relevant and effective for the diverse business community in Hong Kong.

This appointment is expected to provide AustroCham members with enhanced access to expert resources on ethical governance, strengthening their operational resilience and reputation. It also signals a continued cross-border commitment to upholding the highest standards of business conduct, reinforcing the message that “good governance means good business”.

BEDAC’s services for the business sector include the provision of integrity training and resources, corruption prevention advice on code of conduct and system control.  

Please see the following resources:

Corruption myth: https://hkbedc.icac.hk/enewsletter/corruption_myth/en/index.html

Schedule of free webinars: https://hkbedc.icac.hk/en/services/bedc_channel

Corporate Ethics Health Checklist: https://hkbedc.icac.hk/en/services/ethics_checklist