EXECUTIVE SUMMARY the CRM observed that public corporations and large private corporations generally comply with existing laws on the protection of labour law, social responsibility towards the society they operate in, and the implementation of environmental standards. By contrast, many SMEs – most of them familyowned businesses – are less sensitive to these values, except as concerns their contribution to Zakat. Generally, mechanisms for resolving conflicts within these corporations are very effective. However, ordinary courts lack sufficient human resources to handle trade disputes. 3.43 The promotion of the adoption of codes of good business ethics in achieving a corporation‟s objectives is affected by the nature of Algerian corporations. The CRM noted that, due to almost 90 per cent of Algerian corporations being privately owned, and to rapid changes instituted by the transition to a market economy, Algerian entrepreneurs have fallen prey to corruption and fraud. The problem has been aggravated by the existence of an informal sector that controls about 30 per cent of all trade, especially as many corporations in the formal sector do not invoice their supplies and do not belong to a professional association. Both the CSAR and several stakeholders reported cases of corruption, collusion in the awarding of tenders and massive embezzlement of public and private assets. Non-compliance with the code of ethics is a serious problem in Algeria. The authorities are mindful of this and have introduced draconian measures to combat the problem, but these will not be successful without the participation of the corporations themselves. 3.44 In terms of ensuring transparency and equity among their business partners, most Algerian corporations have not yet developed adequate internal systems for providing information to their trading partners or shareholders. Again, the informal or almost totally family-owned nature of the majority of corporations is to blame. The provision of financial information, even for shareholders, is rare, except in the case of public corporations, where oversight by the supervisory authority is highly developed. Most of the shortcomings observed are due to the dearth of qualified accountants. Consumer associations are not adequately equipped to protect their right to have access to information on the quality of products offered or sold to them. 3.45 As regards the accountability of corporations, their directors and management, the legislative and regulatory texts governing public and private corporations, including the Commercial Code, spell out the duties of corporate structures vis-à-vis their shareholders. The CRM, however, noted that many heads of public corporations claim the right to take management decisions without risk of criminal sanctions for mistakes made in the daily management of the corporation when these decisions are taken in good faith. 3.46 On the basis of these findings, the APR Panel would recommend, specifically: (i) rapid implementation of the most strategic reform measures, especially in the banking and finance sector; (ii) strengthening of measures relating to social security for employees, guaranteed minimum wages and the implementation of training programmes more suited to the employment market; (iii) provision of greater assistance to the different industries, enabling them to upgrade, and 16