Corruption cases on rise

Anti-corruption watchdog Transparency International found that of 37 countries that have signed up to the OECD Anti-Bribery Convention, Germany and the United States, which are two of the world's three largest exporters, have been most prolific in pursuing investigations and prosecutions.

The Berlin-based agency's report found that by 2011 the US had brought 275 bribery cases against allegedly offending companies, adding 48 new cases since 2010.

Germany had launched a total of 176 total prosecutions, up by 41 over the previous year.

Japan had carried only "moderate enforcement" with just two new cases brought by 2011 while several countries, including Ireland, Greece, Israel and South Africa had displayed no efforts at all at enforcement.