SNC Lavalin in corruption investigation
06 September 2011
The offices of Canadian construction company SNC Lavalin have been raided by Canadian authorities over allegations of corruption in the bidding process for a US$ 2.9 billion bridge project in Bangladesh.
The World Bank also said that the disbursement of the funds for the project had not been authorised pending the investigation.
"We have been informed that the RCMP is investigating employees of SNC Lavalin for violations of Canadian law. The World Bank referral made to the RCMP relates to allegations of corruption in the bidding processes for the Padma Bridge Project in Bangladesh," a World Bank spokesperson confirmed.
"We have been further informed that in connection with their investigation, the RCMP executed search warrants in several locations," the spokesperson said, adding that the World Bank welcomed the robust response from Canadian authorities and would also continue its own investigation into the matter.