By Daphne Haneman

An international survey has found nearly half the respondents believe domestic corruption is "rampant".

Last week global corruption watchdog Transparency International (TI) released a corruption perceptions index that ranked 163 countries on perceived levels of domestic corruption, with 163 being most corrupt.

West Africa's Republic of Guinea was ranked one of the most corrupt countries in the world, while New Zealand was one of the least.

Berlin-based TI is a "non-partisan", "financially independent" network of active anti-corruption chapters in more than 90 countries. It said corruption information was drawn from multiple expert opinion surveys.

TI's survey found Haiti (163), Guinea (160), Iraq (160), and Myanmar (160) were the most corrupt countries.

Finland, Iceland and New Zealand ranked equal first as least corrupt countries, followed by Denmark (4), Singapore (5), Sweden (6), Switzerland (7), Norway (8), Australia (9) and The Netherlands (9).

TI defined corruption as "the abuse of entrusted power for private gain".

It said "corruption distorts national and international trade" and called for strong measures to curb and criminalise bribery under the OECD Anti-Bribery Convention. It called on businesses to adopt codes of conduct.

TI chief executive David Nussbaum said professionals had a role to play in fighting corruption.

"Professionals, such as lawyers, accountants and bankers, have a responsibility to take stronger action against corruption. Led by prosecuting attorneys, forensic auditors and compliance officers, they can be the stalwarts of a successful fight."

France and Germany were ranked 16th and 18th respectively in the survey.

China ranked 70th with India, Egypt, Peru and Mexico.

Indonesia and Papua New Guinea were ranked 130th.

The United States was among several countries that had "significantly worsened" in perceived levels of corruption. Others included Brazil, Cuba, Israel, Jordan, Laos, the Seychelles, Trinidad and Tobago and Tunisia.

However, TI said some countries had improved.

"Countries with a significant improvement in perceived levels of corruption include Algeria, the Czech Republic, India, Japan, Latvia, Lebanon, Mauritius, Paraguay, Slovenia, Turkey, Turkmenistan and Uruguay," it said.

Australian-based Cullen Grummitt & Roe Group (CGR) chairman Alan Grummitt said there were "hundreds of cases of corruption at ports globally". CGR provides port, harbour and marine engineering consultancy services globally.

TI said it was "intensifying" its fight against corruption. International anti-corruption day is on December 9, 2006.