“Corruption is a global problem. You know, you see corruption appearing as headlines in many, many countries. So it has become a global issue both in national organization and individual country’s governments trying to tackle it.”

The American-based Center for International Policy says more than 2.7 trillion dollars in illegal funds left China between 2001 and 2010. The money escaped as a result of criminal financial deals, corruption, tax evasion or other illegal activities. For Thailand, the amount was 64 billion dollars over the same period.

Shervin Majlessi is with the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime. He says given Asia’s growing influence in the world economy there is a need for more supervision.

In 2003, the United Nations passed a Convention against Corruption. In South East Asia, Burma approved the agreement last December – the last to do so of the 10 member Association of South East Asian Nations. Observers say the fight against corruption needs to go beyond law enforcement, and include non-government and private industry groups.