'Global watchdog Transparency International' has created a list, the Bribe Payers Index 2006, of 30 countries which ranks how likely their businessmen are to pay bribes when operating abroad. The figures contained are from answers of over 11,000 people in 125 countries, and covers around 80% of the worlds exports.

The cleanest countries in the list were Switzerland, Sweden, Australia, Austria, Canada and the United Kingdom. Japan placed 11th on the index, with the dirtiest (least transparent) country being India, followed by China, Russia, Turkey and Taiwan.

An official for the organization said it was time for countries at the bottom of the list including China, which is the world's fourth largest exporter, to "contribute to the vitality of tomorrow's markets." - Mainichi

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