China firm blacklisted for bid to bribe secy
Says Finance Minister Muhith
Staff Reporter
Finance Minister AMA Muhith yesterday said the government has blacklisted China Harbour Engineering Company (CHEC) for its attempt to bribe a secretary concerned. The firm offered Tk 50 lakh in bribes to a secretary. The secretary informed us about the matter. Thats why weve blacklisted it. It wont be able to work anymore, the minister said while answering to a query of journalists at his secretariat office.
The CHEC is a subsidiary of China Communications Construction Company Ltd (CCCC) and listed as one of the Global Fortune 500 companies.
The Chinese government selected the CHEC for the Dhaka-Sylhet Highway project after it signed a memorandum of understanding with the Bangladesh government during the Chinese presidents visit to Bangladesh in 2016.
Under the deal, China had promised to give soft loans of $21.5 billion for 26 projects, including the Dhaka-Sylhet four-lane highway project.
Asked whether the company would be able to finish the work it has already got in Bangladesh, Muhith said, Lets see what can be done. But normally, blacklisted means blacklisted.
However, Muhith did not name the secretary who received the bribe offer. But, the minister said he was proud of the official. Earlier, on Monday, the finance minister said the company that got the contract for expansion of Dhaka-Sylhet Highway had bribed government officials.
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