World Bank Publishes Procurement Blacklist

In the wake of the Satyam scandal, the World Bank has decided to make public the names of all companies that have been debarred from receiving direct contracts from the Bank Group under its corporate procurement program. “This change was made in the interest of fairness and transparency.”

The Bank said the change “aligns the disclosure practice for companies that provide goods and services directly to the Bank with the current policy governing procurement on Bank financed projects in developing countries. In parallel with the Bank’s disclosure of the names of companies and individuals debarred on Bank financed projects from now on, the Bank Group will publicly list the names of companies debarred from its corporate procurement.”

(For a complete list of the 111 companies and individuals currently debarred from participating in Bank financed projects, please click here.)

There are currently three companies that have been debarred along with their affiliates under the Bank Group’s corporate procurement program.

Ineligible firms are:

Satyam Computer Services, Ltd. (SAY)
Term: 8 years
Date: September 2008
Reason: Providing improper benefits to Bank staff and failing to maintain documentation to support fees charged for its subcontractors.

Wipro Technologies (WIT)
Term: 4 years
Date: June 2007
Reason: Providing improper benefits to Bank staff

Megasoft Consultants Ltd.
Term: 4 years
Date: Dec 2007
Reason: Participating in a joint venture with Bank staff while also conducting business with the Bank.

Comments

[Brahm:]

The complete list has more than 100 companies which have been sanctioned by the World Bank. Why is this list so short?

You should approach the Bank to obtain the complete list.

Jan 14 04:56 PM

[Pup:]

So-- what is one to do with a list like this? If it's advice, I need it spelled out!

Jan 14 05:53 PM

[Thomas Smic...:]

Thank you for this post. I am sure that without, as with other international agencies, political correctness, bribes, threats and preferential staffing with third world employees the Bank's list would number about 10,000 companies, entire countries - even a continent or two and not just the current roster.

Jan 14 07:14 PM

[Pup:]

Author Question:
Is this a play one could make that these three (or many more) companies will now do poorly? How would one best do that? I'm learning.

Jan 15 02:25 PM