World Bank announces settlement relating to misconduct in World Bank-Financed Projects in the South Asia region

The World Bank today announced a Negotiated Resolution Agreement (NRA) that debars SMEC International Pty. Ltd., a subsidiary of SMEC Holdings Pty. Ltd., for 12 months, as well as four of its controlled subsidiaries based in India, Bangladesh, and Sri Lanka, for periods varying from 6 to 30 months for misconduct in the South Asia region.

A statement from the World Bank said the NRA follows a World Bank investigation which revealed misrepresentations to meet bidding requirements under World Bank-financed projects in Sri Lanka and India.  The investigation also found evidence indicating inappropriate payments made in relation to World Bank-financed projects in Sri Lanka and Bangladesh. 

Under the Terms of the NRA, SMEC International Pty. Ltd.’s parent company, SMEC Holdings Pty. Ltd., has also committed to make any necessary enhancements to its group-wide corporate integrity compliance program to ensure that it is consistent with the World Bank’s Integrity Compliance Guidelines.

Sanctioned entities debarred for more than 12 months qualify for cross-debarment by other MDBs under the Agreement for Mutual Enforcement of Debarment Decisions that was signed on April 9, 2010.