The World Bank Group has announced a 30-month debarment of Marseille for Engineering & Trading S.A.L. Offshore, a Jordan-based company offering engineering and consulting services. This action is connected to a sanctionable practice as part of the Emergency Operation for Development Project in the Republic of Iraq.
This debarment renders Marseille for Engineering & Trading S.A.L. Offshore ineligible to participate in projects and operations financed by institutions of the World Bank Group. The decision forms part of a settlement agreement wherein the company acknowledges its responsibility for the misconduct and agrees to meet specific corporate compliance conditions as a prerequisite for release from debarment.
The project was conceived to assist Iraq in reconstructing damaged infrastructure and restoring public service delivery in targeted municipal areas. According to case details, Marseille for Engineering & Trading S.A.L. Offshore offered payments to improperly influence a bid evaluation process in its favor. It also solicited its joint venture partner’s contribution towards such payments, an act considered sanctionable under the World Bank 2011 Guidelines: Procurement under IBRD Loans and IDA Credits.
The settlement agreement allows for a reduced period of debarment due to the company's voluntary remedial actions. As per the terms of this agreement, the company commits to developing an integrity compliance program consistent with principles outlined in the World Bank Group Integrity Compliance Guidelines. Furthermore, it pledges full cooperation with the World Bank Group Integrity Vice Presidency.
The debarment of Marseille for Engineering & Trading S.A.L. Offshore is eligible for cross-debarment by other multilateral development banks (MDBs) under the Agreement for Mutual Enforcement of Debarment Decisions signed on April 9, 2010.