A World Bank investigation revealed the company engaged in fraud and corruption in 5 projects in East Asia
WASHINGTON, April 6, 2017- The World Bank Group announced the debarment of Consia Consultants ApS (Consia) for 14 years for engaging in both fraud and corruption. Consia’s Managing Director was also debarred for three and a half years.
The investigation by the World Bank’s Integrity Vice Presidency revealed evidence that Consia made payments to officials to influence the contract awards in and failed to disclose its agreement and commissions paid to its agent in connection with the World Bank-financed Strategic Road Infrastructure Project in Indonesia. Consia also misrepresented the availability of key staff it has claimed would be assisting with the execution of its technical assistance contract under the project.
“The outcome of this case is another example of how important it is to focus on finding evidence that helps the World Bank Group protect the interests of project beneficiaries while holding accountable those who seek to do otherwise for personal gain,” said Stephen Zimmermann, World Bank Director of Operations, Integrity Vice Presidency.
In Vietnam, Consia was also found to have made corrupt payments in connection with the Hanoi Urban Transport Development Project in addition to fraudulent misconduct relating to the Second Northern Mountain Poverty Reduction Project.
The debarment of Consia qualifies for cross-debarment by other MDBs under the Agreement of Mutual Recognition of Debarments that was signed on April 9, 2010.
