The World Bank Group has announced the debarment of Pars Tableau Joint Stock Company, an Iran-based supplier and general contractor, for a period of 63 months. This action is due to fraudulent practices associated with two infrastructure projects in Afghanistan: the Naghlu Hydropower Rehabilitation Project and the Herat Electrification Project.
The Naghlu Project aimed to enhance dam safety and boost electricity supply at the Naghlu and Darunta Hydropower Plants. The Herat Project was designed to provide electricity to various areas within Afghanistan's Herat Province. Pars Tableau secured contracts for these projects in 2020 and 2021 by falsely claiming past experience, which constituted fraudulent practices under the World Bank’s Anti-Corruption Framework.
As a result of this debarment, Pars Tableau and its controlled affiliates are barred from participating in any projects financed by institutions within the World Bank Group. This debarment is part of a settlement agreement where Pars Tableau acknowledges responsibility for its actions and agrees to fulfill specific compliance conditions for eventual release from debarment.
Under this agreement, the company benefits from a reduced debarment period due to voluntary remedial measures it has undertaken. To be released from sanctions, Pars Tableau must develop integrity compliance measures aligned with the World Bank Group Integrity Compliance Guidelines. Additionally, they are required to continue cooperating fully with the World Bank Group Integrity Vice Presidency.
Furthermore, this debarment qualifies for cross-debarment by other multilateral development banks as per the Agreement for Mutual Enforcement of Debarment Decisions signed on April 9, 2010.