Recent anti-corruption enforcement developments in Asia should serve as a call to action for international and domestic companies operating in the region. In light of these developments — which include increased enforcement (and pressure to enforce) anti-corruption laws and an increasing amount of multinational cooperation around anti-corruption issues — companies are well-advised to conduct a corruption risk assessment and evaluate their current compliance programs, including the adequacy of their internal controls, before problems arise or, worse yet, a government investigation is initiated. In particular, companies operating in countries traditionally considered “lax” in their enforcement of such laws should be aware of the growing potential in the region for increased enforcement.

Below are some of the developments to follow in 2014 that could impact companies doing business in the region...