In an unprecedented first in the Maldives, the Asian Development Bank (ADB) has halted the USD 6.7 million (MVR 100 million) National Single Window project of the Ministry of Economic Development, as it was handed over to an ineligible contractor on suspicious grounds.

Marking the first time that a major international organisation has stopped a project in Maldives, local media Mihaaru reported that ADB ordered local authorities to investigate the matter and re-open the project for bid.

Funded by ADB, the single window project, which aims to link the economic ministry with the services of other trade institutions across one network, was tendered by the Ministry of Finance and contracted to Webb Fontaine Asia Inc.

However, according to a case lodged at the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) by a private entity last year, the project’s contractor did not meet the requirements specified in the tender.

https://edition.mv/report/18972