Executive board gives go-ahead for detailed study of measures to protect western firms from corrupt developing world governments.

The World Bank has backed research into measures to protect western construction firms from corrupt developing world clients.

The World Bank executive board has given the go-ahead for a detailed study of measures to protect firms from rogue

third-world governments believed to be withholding at least

£100m in payments on restructuring contracts.

Graham Hand, chief executive of the British Consultants and Construction Bureau, said: “I am advised that the board had a thorough discussion and asked for a more refined paper to come forward.”

Measures under discussion include enabling the World Bank to pay construction companies directly, and barring offending governments from receiving further loans.