The Government last week signed a Memorandum of Understanding [1] with the China Communications Construction Company Limited (International), in order to carry out a detailed feasibility study on the possibility of a bridge being constructed between Malta and Gozo.
The World Bank said in its statement in 2011 that “under the sanction, CCCC is ineligible to engage in any road and bridge projects financed by the World Bank Group until January 12, 2017. This action is based on recent changes in the World Bank sanctions system to clarify that successor organisations – through purchase or reorganization – will be subject to the same sanctions applied to the original firm.”
“CCCC is the designated successor entity to China Road and Bridge Corporation (CRBC) which, along with six other firms and one individual, was debarred by the World Bank for eight years, beginning January 12, 2009, following an investigation of the National Roads Improvement and Management Project by the World Bank’s Integrity Vice Presidency (INT). No World Bank funds from the NRIMP project were disbursed to any of the sanctioned firms,” the Bank said.
The World Bank said that “as part of its development programme, the it had been working with the Government of China on strengthening its approach to dealing with governance and corruption.
“In 2011 the Bank recognised and appreciated that China’s National People’s Congress amended the country’s criminal law to make it an offence for Chinese companies and Chinese nationals to bribe foreign government officials. The law applies to companies organised under Chinese law and would include Chinese companies overseas and wholly foreign-owned enterprises in China.”
At the time of the signing the Prime Minister said that the Government is welcoming this study, which is without any obligation to construct the bridge, and should the feasibility study be acceptable, the Government is also not obliged to continue with the Chinese company and therefore everything will be carried out according to the normal rules of procurement.
The Prime Minister added that the company had offered to cover the cost of the study itself, which is estimated to cost €4 million.
4 Comments To "Gozo Bridge study Company CCCC, debarred by World Bank"
#1 Comment By Mr Brightside On June 17, 2013 @ 7:30 pm
Sounds like a good firm to do business with……….not!
#2 Comment By Dietmar Treptow On June 18, 2013 @ 7:25 am
4 Million Euro for nothing ! Better do you spend money is smaller faster Ferries !
#3 Comment By James A. Tyrrell On June 18, 2013 @ 12:14 pm
The Maltese Government are not paying a penny for the study, the Chinese are paying it themselves no doubt in the hope that they will get the contract to do the work.
#4 Comment By Sabine Ferguson On June 18, 2013 @ 3:51 pm
Nice company from China! Using corruption AND foreign (European) technology -but on the cheap side- to get juicy contracts…
This tunnel/bridge “project” apart from bringing abundant money in some people’s pockets, would put the country in debt, not for the 10 or 12 generations to come, but FOREVER. as it would be owned by foreign banks and then the IMF.
That kind of shortsighted and selfish plan simply means = welcome to the Third World Club!