Malaysian contractors to build Bangladeshi's largest bridge {RM9bil deal with Bangladesh}

It is indeed a feather in the cap for Dato Seri Samy Vellu and the Prime Minister regarding the RM9bil deal with Bangladesh which have opened the path for Malaysian contractors to build Bangladeshi's largest bridge  when the Government announced the signing of the MOU with Government of Bangladesh.

However, on reading the details of the reports, I feel the initial euphoria should now be tinged with some caution. Two facts stand out and I quote:

1. " The Padma bridge project had last year been halted after the World Bank suspended a US$1.2 billion loan on allegations of corruption in the pre-bidding process. To this, Samy said the allegations are an internal matter for the government of Bangladesh to resolve."
2. " Under the MoU, the Malaysian Government would form a consortium of companies to implement the project on a Build, Operate, Own and Transfer (BOOT) concession basis.

1. Considering that even the august body like the World Bank has seen fit NOT to support the project because of alleged corruption, we would expect the Malaysian Govt, or even the private companies roped in to implement and finance the project would be extra cautious when signing the detailed joint venture and other implementation agreements, and not do it with "one eye closed", to their own peril. Those who have had international experience in implementing international G to G projects know that there is a tremendous amount of "discrepancy" between an MOU and the subsequent implementation agreements.
   
2. The other announced matter that should be taken with a pinch of salt is that under the MOU, the project is to be implemented on a Build, Operate, Own and Transfer basis or BOOT. Again, those with international experience on such projects will advise to tread with caution. In most countries around the South and South East Asian region, local and national laws normally prohibit ownership of projects that involve land, and that will include all infrastructure projects. Foreign operations of high profile and landmark projects are normally frowned upon by the unions and the Opposition, and sometimes, it can be too late when the real facts are made known. Foreign companies can subsequently be booted out in spite of firm support from the Governments who had inked the MOU. 

I am writing this based on personal experience, having managed  and organised two such similarly conceived projects a decade ago in a country SE Asia.
Be forewarned