Assistance of an official to a private company

         If an official helps private companies within the law and free of charge, then this is normal. If he does something extra for particular company, even for free, it’s not right.

         For example, when I was in the civil service, I was often asked by my acquaintances to help win public procurement competitions. I immediately refused them and did not even talk about it. But when they said that they would like to participate in the competition on a general basis and win it, and the employees of my department unlawfully prevent them, then I joined the conversation very actively. I clarified the identity of the perpetrators, punished, and forced to do everything according to the law. In the same way I treat similar requests and any unfamiliar companies.

          Here is another typical situation. The private company addressed the state agency with its problem, for example, it believed that high customs duties on raw materials for its production prevented it from developing. We understood this issue, we were convinced of its correctness and started lobbying for the adoption of the corresponding resolution of the Government. If we succeeded, the duties were reduced or canceled, the entrepreneur felt grateful to us. But we believed that although we moved on his initiative and benefited personally to him, we lobbied the industry as a whole. In this case, the interests of a private company coincided with the interests of the state and in such a situation assistance to it is not at all a sin.