Webcast: FCPA Trends in the Emerging Markets of Asia, the Middle East and Africa

March 8, 2016

​As the world’s economy is increasingly beset by uncertainty and political instability, current economic powerhouses are showing signs of slowing, while other countries wait in the wings to take their place.  The International Monetary Fund, for example, has referred to slower, more measured growth as the “new normal” for China while India’s economy has outpaced China’s in recent months as domestic demand and manufacturing continue to increase.  While falling oil prices and regional instability have led to increased uncertainty in the Middle East, the changes in the Iranian sanctions regime has businesses gearing up to enter the market. Similarly, falling commodity prices and security instability in East and West Africa, along with emerging fights against corruption, are making international headlines.  As many companies scramble to take advantage of the new economic order, many of these markets continue to be beset by historical corruption issues and struggle to develop nascent anti-bribery legislative and enforcement regimes.  Join our team of experienced international anti-corruption attorneys to learn more about how to do business in Asia, the Middle East and Africa without running afoul of anti-corruption laws, including the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act.

Topics discussed include:

  • Recent FCPA enforcement actions brought by the DOJ and SEC involving business activities in major emerging markets in Asia, the Middle East, and Africa;
  • Overview of anti-corruption laws in key AMEA markets;
  • An update on Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s efforts to reduce corruption in India and avoid accusations of improper dealing within his own party;
  • How President Xi Jinping’s continued crackdown on corruption, as well as the recent Ninth Amendment to the Criminal Law, affect foreign companies doing business in China;
  • Anti-corruption efforts and landscape in the Middle East in view of the changing political and economic environment;
  • Renewed focus by African governments on fighting corruption and tracing illicit assets of former officials.

View Slides [PDF]

PANELISTS:

Kelly Austin — Partner in Gibson Dunn’s Hong Kong office specializing in government and internal investigations, regulatory compliance, and international disputes. Has extensive expertise in corporate internal investigations, including those involving FCPA, and in creating and implementing effective compliance programs. Named a leading lawyer in the category “Corporate Investigations/Anti-Corruption: China” by Chambers Asia Pacific 2016 and Chambers Global 2015; ranked in Tier 1 for “Regulatory: Anti-Corruption and Compliance: Hong Kong” by Asia Pacific Legal 500 2016; named by Global Investigations Review to its inaugural Women in Investigations list 2015, which highlights 100 high-powered women in the profession from around the world; recognized as “phenomenal” for her FCPA, anti-money laundering, securities, and trade control experience by Who’s Who Legal and Global Investigations Review 2015; and ranked as a “Local Disputes Star” in the category “Regulatory Investigations” by Benchmark Asia-Pacific 2014.

Richard Grime —Partner in Gibson Dunn’s Washington, D.C. office, and former Assistant Director of the Enforcement Division of the Securities and Exchange Commission. His white collar defense practice is focused on internal investigations and securities enforcement, regulatory and compliance matters. Ranked as a leading lawyer in both Chambers USA Nationwide FCPA and Chambers Global FCPA, and was selected by his peers for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America© 2016 for Criminal Defense: White Collar. While at the SEC, played a prominent role in the Commission’s FCPA program and was also a member of the United States’ delegation to the OECD Working Group on Corruption. Has extensive experience with anti-corruption investigations, advising both large companies and individual executives on FCPA defense and anti-corruption compliance.

Graham Lovett —Partner in Gibson Dunn’s Dubai office specializing in complex commercial arbitration and litigation, often with a cross-border element. Ranked in Tier 1 for litigation and Arbitration in Chambers Global 2015 for Middle East and UAE. Ranked in Tier 1 in Legal 500 2015 for Middle East. Member of the Steering Committee for the ICC UAE, Member of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators (MCIArb), Chairman of the DIFC Authority Legislative Committee, former Member of the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC) Arbitration Committee, Member of the Advisory Board of the IBA Arab Regional Forum. Co-author of the UAE chapter of the Encyclopedia of International Commercial Litigation (Kluwer), co-editor of Summaries of UAE Courts’ Decisions on Arbitration (ICC) and co-author of the DIFC Courts’ Code of Best Legal Professional Practice. Regularly appears as an advocate before the DIFC Courts and the Special Tribunal related to Dubai World and sits as an arbitrator in both domestic and international arbitrations.