allowing anti-corruption efforts to gain further momentum. All the offences dealt with below are frequently differentiated depending on whether the offender is a low-level or high-level official Distinctions are also made on the basis of the gravity of the offence and the amounts involved. Systemic, large-scale and high-level corrupt practices are more severely punished. Nevertheless, all types and all levels of corruption need to be equally addressed and at the same time since the cumulative effect of petty corruption can be just as significant in monetary terms. In addition, it serves to maintain a culture that facilitates corruption, constantly frustrating and demoralizing the public Bribery The penal laws of most countries include the offence of bribery, where private parties offer or promise money or advantages to officials in order to influence their decisions. Variations exist as to the attempt, promise giving, solicitation or acceptance of a bribe(active and passive bribery). The crime of extortion generally consists in the demand of a benefit by an official. One of the main sources of recent global initiatives springs from the concern that public officials in many contracts or offer business deals to particular corporations. The y countries accept illicit payments or other advantages in order to exter criminalization of the direct or indirect offer or actual giving of anything of value to a foreign official in order to assist a company in its international business has become a model that may guide national lawmakers and multinational efforts. This offence is not a new concept and involves little more than the extension of domestic bribery laws to cover bribery committed in a foreign country. The logic remains the same no one should be required or allowed to exercise improper influence on the decision of officials in any jurisdiction. Another way in which such practices are dealt with is by resorting to unfair trade or anti-trust regulations. A company or individual that obtains a contract because of illicit payments has gained an unfair advantage over other competitors. Rules governing competition in domestic or international markets address this problem.allowing anti-corruption efforts to gain further momentum. All the offences dealt with below are frequently differentiated depending on whether the offender is a low-level or high-level official. Distinctions are also made on the basis of the gravity of the offence and the amounts involved. Systemic, large-scale and high-level corrupt practices are more severely punished. Nevertheless, all types and all levels of corruption need to be equally addressed and at the same time, since, the cumulative effect of petty corruption can be just as significant in monetary terms. In addition, it serves to maintain a culture that facilitates corruption, constantly frustrating and demoralizing the public. Bribery The penal laws of most countries include the offence of bribery, where private parties offer or promise money or advantages to officials in order to influence their decisions. Variations exist as to the attempt, promise, giving, solicitation or acceptance of a bribe (active and passive bribery). The crime of extortion generally consists in the demand of a benefit by an official. One of the main sources of recent global initiatives springs from the concern that public officials in many countries accept illicit payments or other advantages in order to extend contracts or offer business deals to particular corporations. The criminalization of the direct or indirect offer or actual giving of anything of value to a foreign official in order to assist a company in its international business has become a model that may guide national lawmakers and multinational efforts. This offence is not a new concept, and involves little more than the extension of domestic bribery laws to cover bribery committed in a foreign country. The logic remains the same: no one should be required or allowed to exercise improper influence on the decision of officials in any jurisdiction. Another way in which such practices are dealt with is by resorting to unfair trade or anti-trust regulations. A company or individual that obtains a contract because of illicit payments has gained an unfair advantage over other competitors. Rules governing competition in domestic or international markets address this problem