Global Anti-Bribery Organization TRACE International Expands By Opening New Office In Manila

New Southeast Asia office to meet ever-growing demand for anti-bribery and third party compliance solutions

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Jan 21, 2014, 09:34 ET

MANILA, Philippines, Jan. 21, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- TRACE, the leading global provider of anti-bribery and third party compliance solutions, today announced the opening of its new Southeast Asia office in Manila to meet the increasing demand for locally delivered anti-bribery compliance services from TRACE members and clients with operations in Asia. This new office comes less than a year after TRACE's announcement of its first international office in Dubai and marks the continued growth of the organization as it expands its global presence.

Concurrent to the opening of the Manila office, TRACE and the Makati Business Club have announced a strategic alliance to help bring transparent business practices to the Philippines business community and to promote a global anti-bribery and third party compliance standard. Together the two organizations will focus on the development of integrity standards and provide foreign and local businesses in the Philippines with an internationally recognized anti-bribery compliance credential, TRACEcertification, and third party due diligence tool, TRAC.

"We're pleased to be opening an office in Manila. Clearly these are difficult times and our hearts go out to those still struggling in the aftermath of Typhoon Haiyan," said Alexandra Wrage, TRACE President. "Our experience shows that during times of crisis, corruption and bribery increase alongside the outpouring of donations and goods flowing into the region. Accordingly, we look forward to working with the local business community and the Makati Business Club to address these issues should they arise and to support ongoing rebuilding efforts."

The new Southeast Asia office enables TRACE to expand its on-the-ground capability and to offer more specialized training, risk analysis and due diligence services in order to address the heightened compliance demands of its expanding list of members and clients in Asia.

The Manila office is headed by Michelle Juan, a seasoned compliance professional and attorney. Juan comes to TRACE after years of experience working as an attorney at TRACE Partner Firm, Romulo Mabanta Buenaventura Sayoc & De Los Angeles, specializing in corporate and securities law and as Vice President and General Counsel of one of the largest and most diverse privately owned Philippine conglomerates. At the Manila office, Juan will focus on compliance initiatives targeting Asian markets, including risk analysis, consulting, due diligence and training.

"I am delighted to join the TRACE team and leverage my in-house experience, as well as my extensive experience providing legal services to Fortune 100 companies, to deliver innovative compliance services to TRACE's growing global clientele and membership base," Juan said.

TRACE members are encouraged by TRACE's new local capabilities. A senior compliance officer at a Japanese company with a worldwide business network said, "The new Manila office brings the trusted and knowledgeable TRACE advisory team closer to our offices in the region, where they can better support our Asia-based employees and deliver customized anti-bribery compliance services and training."

TRACE and the Makati Business Club will hold a complimentary anti-bribery training workshop on April 30, 2014 in Manila for both TRACE and Makati Business Club members and to commemorate the opening of the new office.

About TRACE

TRACE provides an end-to-end, cost-effective and practical solution for anti-bribery and third party compliance for global organizations. The TRACE Anti-Bribery Compliance Solution offers multinational companies and their commercial intermediaries an unparalleled membership program, scalable and customizable training options and risk-based due diligence and advisory services. TRACE International is a non-profit membership organization that pools resources to provide members with anti-bribery compliance support while TRACE Incorporated offers both members and non-members customizable risk-based due diligence, in-person training and consulting services. With a shared mission to increase commercial transparency, TRACE International and TRACE Incorporated provide companies with one complete anti-bribery compliance solution. For more information, visit www.TRACEinternational.org.

About the Makati Business Club

The Makati Business Club is a private non-stock, non-profit business association organized as a Forum for Constructive Ideas. The main thrust of the MBC is to foster and promote the role of the business sector in national development efforts, both in the planning and the implementation of policies. It is committed to addressing national economic and social issues that affect the development of the Philippines. Founded in 1981, the MBC is composed of senior business executives representing the largest and most dynamic corporations in the Philippines. It has become the leading private forum for meetings that bring together business, government, and community leaders in the country. The MBC carries out its objectives through four main lines of activity: policy advocacy, information services and publishing, investment promotion, and corporate citizenship.

For more information on TRACE: contact [email protected] or [email protected]. For more information on the Makati Business Club contact: [email protected].

SOURCE TRACE