MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency
Pacific Alliance conference on preventing corruption in public infrastructure projects
With the support of the British Embassies in Peru, Mexico, Panama, Costa Rica and Chile, representatives of these countries will participate in a meeting, focused on how to prevent unlawful practices in public infrastructure construction projects. Read full article
Comments
Disclaimer & comment rulesNice to see the UK government using targeted aid with such a worthwhile aim.
Dec 10th, 2013 - 11:00 pm - Link - Report abuse 0The Pacific Alliance stands in stark contrast to ALBA which is nothing more than a Venezuelan sponsored welfare forum that puts ideological aims above good economic management. And let's not get started on Mercosur that puts pomp and ceremony above concrete economic issues.
With much of the high economic growth having moved to the Pacific Alliance, getting the best value for the ever growing infrastructure spending is now more important than ever.
Will they discuss the scandalous abuse of the Private Finance Initiative by large private construction companies in the United Kingdom, which has happened with the connivance of Labour and Conservative governments, both keen to reduce the reported size of the fiscal deficit? Probably not. Once again the UK government preaches an image abroad of transparency and openness and 'good governance' that is totally at variance with what happens at home - I would call that hypocrisy.
Dec 11th, 2013 - 10:43 am - Link - Report abuse 0Well it was either the UK model or the Venezuelan model…… and I guess people in Colombia, Chile, Peru, Mexico, Costa Rica and Panama prefer toilet paper…… oh and actual infrastructure.
Dec 11th, 2013 - 11:01 am - Link - Report abuse 0@2 I'm afraid you don't understand the complexities of life in the current world. Regrettably, some British firms are led into questionable practices because of the way that certain other countries operate. For example, bribery and corruption are endemic, even required, in areas such as Africa, Latin America, Middle East and Russia. And thus a conference such as this. If these Latin American states can be shown that bribery and corruption are bad for them and their progress, British companies can operate with their normal honesty. Notable that argieland isn't attending. Although it probably has more need than most. But then CFK might have to “get by” on her salary!
Dec 11th, 2013 - 11:49 am - Link - Report abuse 0@ 2 Pytangua
Dec 11th, 2013 - 08:54 pm - Link - Report abuse 0PFI is an unmitigated disaster in reality.
Forget massaging the public debt, look instead at the servicing cost of the buildings put up under this scheme all paid to the “builders”.
£150 (USD 245) to change a light bulb and local staff are prohibited from doing it themselves with a bulb from Tesco's.
John Major, ex PM, shagger of Eggweener Curry (old hag) started this nonsense just as he got the Conservatives chucked out of power in favour of “Trust Me Tony B Liar” and new Labour, same as old Labour, just a bigger rictus grin on the PM and even bigger lies.
Whatever; if the conference succeeds in its aims,
Dec 12th, 2013 - 08:56 pm - Link - Report abuse 0it could be the most valuable bit of 'Overseas Aid' ever achieved.
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