• News
    • Latest news
    • News search
    • Health
    • Finance
    • Food
    • Career news
    • Content series
    • Try Devex Pro
  • Jobs
    • Job search
    • Post a job
    • Employer search
    • CV Writing
    • Upcoming career events
    • Try Career Account
  • Funding
    • Funding search
    • Funding news
  • Talent
    • Candidate search
    • Devex Talent Solutions
  • Events
    • Upcoming and past events
    • Partner on an event
  • Post a job
  • About
      • About us
      • Membership
      • Newsletters
      • Advertising partnerships
      • Devex Talent Solutions
      • Contact us
Join DevexSign in
Join DevexSign in

News

  • Latest news
  • News search
  • Health
  • Finance
  • Food
  • Career news
  • Content series
  • Try Devex Pro

Jobs

  • Job search
  • Post a job
  • Employer search
  • CV Writing
  • Upcoming career events
  • Try Career Account

Funding

  • Funding search
  • Funding news

Talent

  • Candidate search
  • Devex Talent Solutions

Events

  • Upcoming and past events
  • Partner on an event
Post a job

About

  • About us
  • Membership
  • Newsletters
  • Advertising partnerships
  • Devex Talent Solutions
  • Contact us
  • My Devex
  • Update my profile % complete
  • Account & privacy settings
  • My saved jobs
  • Manage newsletters
  • Support
  • Sign out
Latest newsNews searchHealthFinanceFoodCareer newsContent seriesTry Devex Pro
    • News
    • Debarment

    How can your organization get re-listed after being debarred?

    When news broke of the World Bank debarment of five subsidiaries of SMEC for bribery and misrepresentation in a number of World Bank-financed projects, it raised questions among private sector development partners on what an organization can do to be re-listed. Devex spoke with Clare Wee, head of the Office of Anticorruption and Integrity with the Asian Development Bank, for her tips and advice.

    By Lisa Cornish, Jenny Lei Ravelo // 23 October 2017
    CANBERRA — When news broke of the World Bank’s decision to debar five subsidiaries of SMEC for bribery and misrepresentation in a number of World Bank-financed projects, it raised questions among private sector development partners about what an organization can do to get re-listed. SMEC is hardly the only organization to be made ineligible to bid for World Bank projects. As of October 19, a total of 990 firms were listed as ineligible — 102 of them permanently. For those permanently debarred, getting re-listed is not an option. The case of the SMEC subsidiaries, which were only temporarily debarred, shows some other options for large companies. While five subsidiaries were debarred, other arms of the operation were not. This enables SMEC to continue bidding for projects. For those unable to continue bidding through another arm of the business, there is important advice to follow on reducing the sanctions and ensuring that once the minimum debarment period is complete, the organization can be re-listed. Devex spoke with Clare Wee, head of the Office of Anticorruption and Integrity at the Asian Development Bank for her tips and advice. Can the sanctions period imposed on an individual or firm be reduced after it has taken effect? According to Wee, it is possible to reduce sanctions — depending on circumstances. “This depends on when the request for reduction is made,” she said. “If it is made as part of the appeal of sanction, it is possible. Assuming that the criteria for appeal is met, then the Sanction Appeals Committee may decide that circumstances exist for reconsideration of the term of the sanction. If it is after the appeal period, then it is highly unlikely that a sanction could be reduced. Nevertheless, if circumstances arise that the sanction becomes a miscarriage of justice, OAI could submit the case for reconsideration to the Integrity Oversight Committee.” But the likelihood of getting sections reduced is very low. When asked if any firms or individuals reinstated by the ADB had their sanctions reduced, Wee said they had not. So far the ADB has only taken one individual off its sanctions list. What should debarred organizations and firms to ensure reinstatement? Wee said it was important for debarred organizations to demonstrate a change in culture away from corrupt practices to ensure their reinstatement following debarment. First, she recommended that organizations not engage in any integrity violations during the sanctions periods. Further action calling the integrity of the organization or firm into question will likely see debarment periods extended. Second, organizations and firms should work on instituting good corporate governance practices. It is important that the culture be changed and that all members of the operation understand that corruption and inappropriate business activities are not acceptable. Operations and engagement need to be open and transparent. Staff need to be trained on how to combat corruption, with strong leadership from the top down. And it is important for organizations to demonstrate that they have processes and procedures in place to identify and respond to any business practises that raise concerns of corruption. Third, Wee recommended that organizations and firms closely follow the ADB’s procurement guidelines and other applicable rules. “Where in doubt, consult OAI,” she said. And all requirements associated with sanctions should be followed closely to ensure the sanctioning organization is confident that trust can be rebuilt and a new partnership formed following the conclusion of the period of ineligibility. Devex delivers cutting-edge insights and analysis to the leaders shaping and innovating the business of development. Make sure you don't miss out. Become a Devex Executive Member today.

    CANBERRA — When news broke of the World Bank’s decision to debar five subsidiaries of SMEC for bribery and misrepresentation in a number of World Bank-financed projects, it raised questions among private sector development partners about what an organization can do to get re-listed.

    SMEC is hardly the only organization to be made ineligible to bid for World Bank projects. As of October 19, a total of 990 firms were listed as ineligible — 102 of them permanently. For those permanently debarred, getting re-listed is not an option.

    The case of the SMEC subsidiaries, which were only temporarily debarred, shows some other options for large companies. While five subsidiaries were debarred, other arms of the operation were not. This enables SMEC to continue bidding for projects.

    This story is forDevex Promembers

    Unlock this story now with a 15-day free trial of Devex Pro.

    With a Devex Pro subscription you'll get access to deeper analysis and exclusive insights from our reporters and analysts.

    Start my free trialRequest a group subscription
    Already a user? Sign in
    • Australia
    • Metropolitan Manila, Philippines
    Printing articles to share with others is a breach of our terms and conditions and copyright policy. Please use the sharing options on the left side of the article. Devex Pro members may share up to 10 articles per month using the Pro share tool ( ).
    Should your team be reading this?
    Contact us about a group subscription to Pro.

    About the authors

    • Lisa Cornish

      Lisa Cornishlisa_cornish

      Lisa Cornish is a former Devex Senior Reporter based in Canberra, where she focuses on the Australian aid community. Lisa has worked with News Corp Australia as a data journalist and has been published throughout Australia in the Daily Telegraph in Melbourne, Herald Sun in Melbourne, Courier-Mail in Brisbane, and online through news.com.au. Lisa additionally consults with Australian government providing data analytics, reporting and visualization services.
    • Jenny Lei Ravelo

      Jenny Lei Ravelo@JennyLeiRavelo

      Jenny Lei Ravelo is a Devex Senior Reporter based in Manila. She covers global health, with a particular focus on the World Health Organization, and other development and humanitarian aid trends in Asia Pacific. Prior to Devex, she wrote for ABS-CBN, one of the largest broadcasting networks in the Philippines, and was a copy editor for various international scientific journals. She received her journalism degree from the University of Santo Tomas.

    Search for articles

    Related Jobs

    • Tax Audit Advisor
      Cowater International
      Ethiopia
    • Investment Solutions Specialist - Finance Solutions
      Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB)
      Worldwide
    • Integrity Specialist
      Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB)
      Worldwide
    • See more

    Most Read

    • 1
      Opinion: Mobile credit, savings, and insurance can drive financial health
    • 2
      FCDO's top development contractors in 2024/25
    • 3
      Strengthening health systems by measuring what really matters
    • 4
      Opinion: India’s bold leadership in turning the tide for TB
    • 5
      Reigniting momentum for maternal, newborn, and child health

    Trending

    Financing for Development Conference

    The Trump Effect

    Newsletters

    • News
    • Jobs
    • Funding
    • Talent
    • Events

    Devex is the media platform for the global development community.

    A social enterprise, we connect and inform over 1.3 million development, health, humanitarian, and sustainability professionals through news, business intelligence, and funding & career opportunities so you can do more good for more people. We invite you to join us.

    • About us
    • Membership
    • Newsletters
    • Advertising partnerships
    • Devex Talent Solutions
    • Post a job
    • Careers at Devex
    • Contact us
    © Copyright 2000 - 2025 Devex|User Agreement|Privacy Statement
    We use cookies to help improve your user experience. By using our site, you agree to the terms of our Privacy Policy.