Sending a pen to purchasers or inviting them a cup of tea will be considered bribing by Wal-Mart, the world's largest retailer, which focuses on operating in a clean and honest way, according to vendors' conference held by Wal-Mart yesterday, the Shanghai Morning Post reported today.

More than 200 vendors attended the conference in Shanghai yesterday, with how to contact with purchasers of Wal-Mart the main focus.

According to the conference data prepared by Wal-Mart, purchasers are banned to ask for any types of gifts from vendors, who are also not allowed to send free gifts to purchasers, even paying for drinks and dinner is banned.

The vendors found to break the regulations are likely to lose opportunities to cooperate with Wal-Mart, said a purchaser with Wal-Mart.

Wal-Mart takes strict measures to check whether a supplier is qualified or not, including product quality, price and factory conditions.

If a factory is found to employ child labor (people aged below 16) or impose corporal punishment on employees, it cannot cooperate with Wal-Mart any longer, said an industry analyst.

Domestic vendors are used to developing relationship with retailers by sending gifts, but the real capabilities of the suppliers are cared most, the analyst said.

(eastday.com August 1, 2003)