Companies from Russia and China are most likely to offer bribes when conducting business overseas, according to a new survey.

The two came bottom of a list of 28 countries in a poll of 3,000 business executives conducted by anti-corruption group Transparency International (TI).

Companies from the Netherlands and Switzerland are seen as least likely to bribe and the UK came eighth, ahead of the US and France.

Executives were asked how often firms, with which they have a business relationship, engage in bribery.

Bribery was said to be most common to secure public works and construction jobs, while oil and gas was seen as "especially prone".

"It is clear that bribery remains a routine business practice for too many companies and runs throughout their business dealings, not just those with public officials," said Huguette Labelle, chairman of TI.

"And companies that fail to prevent bribery in their supply chains run the risk of being prosecuted for the actions of employees and business partners."

Article courtesy of Aviva PLC. Published 02-11-2011