The World Bank has debarred two Albanian companies for committing “collusive practices” during the bidding phase of a bank-funded project in Albania.
RINIA SK Sh.p.k. and DEA DHV Sh.p.k. have been declared ineligible for World Bank contracts for two years in line with the “Agreement for Mutual Enforcement of Debarment Decisions” signed by the World Bank Group, African Development Bank Group, Asian Development Bank, the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development and the Inter-American Development Bank Group, according to a press release.
This is the first case eligible for cross debarment under the agreement, which states that if a multilateral development bank declares a firm or individual ineligible for procurement contracts because of corruption, all the others will do the same.
“Over the past year, we have worked with our development partners and shareholders to strengthen global anti-corruption mechanisms. Today’s implementation of the cross debarment regime raises the stakes to new levels for firms who engage in corruption,” said INT Director of Operations Stephen Zimmermann.
The decision was reached after an investigation by the lender’s Integrity Vice Presidency, or INT, which addresses allegations of fraud and corruption in the bank’s operations.
