New York, 6 January 2022 (TDI): An announcement was issued that substantial news has been released regarding extensive investigations into the progress of Madagascar Airport, which is being partially funded by the International Finance Corporation (IFC), as part of the World Bank’s significant role in the implementation of the convention against corruption.
The World Bank released an official statement regarding the decision made by the Vice Presidency for Integrity of the World Bank Group in regard to the sanction of ADP International SA because of fraudulent practices and corruption in several projects.
This decision was a great step in fighting corruption at the international level, which is a clear indication to everyone that no one will be allowed or immune to any of the international corruption activities.
Day THREE of the #DAAPA Symposium on #Data Analytics and #Anticorruption begins in 10 MINUTES!
Our 1st session of the day begins by discussing #Corruption in Public Administration
Follow this thread today for updates and to engage with us ⬇️⬇️https://t.co/sP8e7EGaHH pic.twitter.com/DwXk5RuRbM
— World Bank Gov (@wbg_gov) October 27, 2021
About ADP International S.A. (formerly ADP Management)
Among a limited number of airport operators to manage all aspects of airport value chains, from upstream engineering studies, master planning, and design to the commissioning and operation of complex infrastructure (terminals, runways, baggage sorting, etc.), it develops and operates the three main Paris airports under the Paris Aéroport banner: Paris-Charles de Gaulle, Paris-Orly, and Paris-Le Bourget, as well as some ten civil aviation aerodromes in the Paris region.
ADP International S.A. (formerly ADP Management), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Groupe ADP, is a French engineering company engaged in the design of new airports and the development of existing airports throughout the world. The firm’s team of experts can carry out a project from the initial design stage through operational phases and bring together multiple skills, including engineering, architecture, studies, and supervision.
In spite of its 400 staff members of 46 nationalities working in 19 countries, ADP International S.A. (formerly ADP Management) is currently running over 130 projects simultaneously throughout the world.
World Bank released an official statement
The World Bank Group sanctioned ADP International SA (formerly ADP Management), a developer, operator, and manager of airports and a subsidiary of Aéroports de Paris SA, for collusive practices as part of the Airports Madagascar Project and fraudulent practices as part of the Zagreb Airport Project. The sanction consists of a 12-month debarment followed by a 12-month non-debarment period.
Following an investigation conducted by the Vice Presidency for Integrity of the World Bank Group, the sanction underscores the commitment of the bank to promoting high integrity standards in projects financed by the International Finance Corporation (IFC). It was expected that a settlement agreement would be reached between the parties involved.
The settlements offer an example of how such agreements, together with sanctions imposed by the Bank Group, can be utilized to encourage companies involved in development projects for the private sector to adhere to better business practices.
According to the agreement, the debarment disqualifies ADP Ingénierie, ADP Airport Services, ADP Do Brazil Participants, ADP International America LLC, ADPM Mauritius, Aéroports de Paris Management 3, Airport International Group, Airport Management Company, Airport Management Services, and Jordan Airport Management from participating in projects and operations financed by institutions of the World Bank Group.
Under the settlement agreement, the company acknowledges responsibility for the underlying sanctionable practices and agrees to encounter certain conditions to be released from the debarment.
If certain conditions are fulfilled at the end of the initial period of debarment, the sanction becomes a conditional non-debarment. ADP International SA may participate in World Bank Group projects and operations if it complies with the settlement agreement.
The company will remain ineligible to participate in World Bank Group projects and operations until the conditions for release outlined in the settlement agreement have been met if the Integrity Compliance Officer determines the company cannot fulfill the specified conditions by the end of the debarment period.
With Airports Madagascar, IFC has partially funded the expansion and renovation of Madagascar’s two primary airports, Ivato International Airport and Fascene Airport. According to the facts of the case, ADP International S.A. engaged in collusive practices by attending improper meetings with government officials between February 4, 2015, and May 4, 2015, during the tender process for the 28-year concession.
IFC is additionally providing partial financing for the Zagreb Airport Project, which is a 30-year concession contract for the design, construction, operation, and maintenance of a modern terminal at Zagreb International Airport. The facts of the case indicate that ADP International S.A. failed to disclose to IFC that fees paid between June 10, 2011, and March 12, 2014, to a retained agent were partially transferred to a non-contracted consultant.
The settlement agreement provides for a reduced period of debarment as a result of the company’s economic cooperation and voluntary remedial actions. In social exchange for being voluntarily released from sanctions, ADP International S.A. agreed to adapt its group-wide integrity compliance program to align with the World Bank Group Integrity Compliance Guidelines.
Moreover, the company agreed to maintain its integrity compliance program at its sanctioned subsidiaries. ADP International S.A. commits to completely cooperating with the World Bank Group Integrity Vice Presidency
About International Finance Corporation (IFC)
A global development institution, IFC focuses on the private sector in developing countries. IFC encourages the growth of the private sector in developing countries as well as being a member of the World Bank Group.
This goal can be achieved by creating new markets, mobilizing other investors, and sharing expertise. With the assistance of the IFC, jobs are created and living standards are improved, especially for the poor. In addition to ending extreme poverty and boosting shared prosperity, the World Bank Group’s work serves both of these goals.
Since 1956, the International Finance Corporation has been working to transform developing countries with the help of the private sector. During this time, it is working in more than 100 countries, created the term “emerging markets,” and created new markets such as sustainable bonds.
Developing the Private Sector through Leadership
A variety of ways are available for countries to develop their private sectors through the IFC, including:
- The process of lending money to companies, investing in their equity, issuing debt securities, and making guarantees.
- Loan participation, parallel loans, and other techniques can be used to obtain funding from other lenders and investors.
- IFC provides businesses and governments with recommendations on increasing private investment and improving the investment climate.
Integrity Vice President of the World Bank
In September 2020, Mouhamadou Diagne joined the World Bank Group as its Vice President of Integrity (INT). Diagne is responsible for overseeing an independent unit responsible for investigating fraud and corruption allegations involving projects and activities financed by the World Bank Group, its staff, and its vendors, pursuing sanctions for credible allegations, introducing best practices in preventing fraud and corruption into World Bank Group operations, and helping to raise compliance standards within the private sector.
Since 1988, Diagne has managed antifraud and anti-corruption teams. Previously, he served as the Inspector General of the Global Fund to Fight Aids, Tuberculosis, and Malaria, one of the world’s largest international health finance organizations.
Diagne investigated and audited alleged fraud, corruption, misappropriation, and other forms of abuse in Global Fund-financed programs and in the organization’s operations.
His role as Director of Strategy and Operations for Internal Audit at the World Bank Group included overseeing the strategic shift from compliance audits to risk-based audits before joining the Global Fund.
He has also held managerial positions in international public accounting firms. Diagne was the former Director of Internal Audit at Fannie Mae, one of the largest financial institutions in the United States and the largest mortgage lender in North America.
Diagne holds dual citizenship in Senegal and the United States. His native tongues are French, English, and Wolof. The University of Maryland awarded him a Master’s of Science in Finance as well as a Master’s of Business Administration; Howard University awards him a Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting, and the University of Dakar awards him a Bachelor’s Degree in Communication. Furthermore, he has taught accounting, advanced auditing, and management to university students.
