Statement of World Bank debarring Wipro and Satyam

JANUARY 11, 2009

WASHINGTON: The World Bank Group has decided to make public the names of all companies that have been debarred from receiving direct contracts from the Bank Group under its corporate procurement program. This change was made in the interest of fairness and transparency.

This change aligns the disclosure practice for companies that provide goods and services directly to the Bank with the current policy governing procurement on Bank financed projects in developing countries. In parallel with the Bank's disclosure of the names of 111 companies and individuals debarred on Bank financed projects from now on, the Bank Group will publicly list the names of companies debarred from its corporate procurement.

There are currently three companies that have been debarred along with their affiliates under the Bank Group's corporate procurement program.

Ineligible firms are:

Satyam Computer Services, Ltd.

Term: 8 years

Date: September 2008

Reason: Providing improper benefits to Bank staff and failing to maintain documentation to support fees charged for its subcontractors.


Wipro Technologies

Term: 4 years

Date: June 2007

Reason: Providing improper benefits to Bank staff

Megasoft Consultants Ltd.

Term: 4 years

Date: Dec 2007

Reason: Participating in a joint venture with Bank staff while also conducting business with the Bank.