Virtue vow: ICAC Commissioner Dr Timothy Tong receives a pledge of commitment to integrity and good corporate governance from Permanent Secretary for Commerce & Economic Development Yvonne Choi.

The Independent Commission Against Corruption received 2,180 graft reports in the first eight months of this year, down 3% on the same period last year.

Of the complaints, 1,388 were related to the private sector, 666 concerned government departments and 126 were against public bodies.

ICAC Commissioner Dr Timothy Tong attributed the stable corruption situation to sustained preventive and education efforts and an improving economy.

He also urged small-and-medium enterprises to uphold integrity and strengthen corporate governance as 417 people have been prosecuted for business sector corruption and fraud so far this year.

Speaking at the ICAC's Business Ethics Conference cum Pledging Ceremony for Small & Medium Enterprises today, Dr Tong said the ICAC takes tough action against those who resort to bribery and illegal practice in conducting business.

"Integrity is not only a moral virtue. For businesses it is a quality which defines who can survive and thrive especially in times of economic downturn," he said.

He highlighted the importance of cross-boundary and cross-sector co-operation in enhancing a clean business environment in view of the growingly integrated development of the Pearl River Delta region.