Corruption probe will not delay tenders: Argentina

An ongoing investigation into various companies paying bribes is not expected to cause delays in Argentina’s upcoming infrastructure tenders, including for energy projects, international media reported on Friday.

Companies whose workers are caught up in the probe will also still be permitted to continue participating in the tenders, Minister of Transport Guillermo Dietrich told Bloomberg in an interview.

“We won’t limit companies, unless a judge says otherwise,” Minister Dietrich was quoted as saying. “What is happening is unprecedented, and the justice system needs to investigate, prove and issue a final ruling.”

Nearly two weeks ago, executives of several companies including Techint, MSU Energy, Albanesi and Iecsa were arrested for allegedly paying bribes to government officials in the administrations of Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner and Nestor Kirchner between 2005 and 2015.

Upcoming energy projects include the partial renovation and new construction of a railway between the Bahía Blanca port and the Vaca Muerta shale play, allowing for frack sand and drilling equipment to be moved more quickly. Power transmission projects and new highways are also slated for tenders this year.