Biman Bangladesh has protested a news item published in the September 25, 2014 issue of The Financial Express headlined 'Compensation for contract breach - HK co seeks Tk 177.59m from Biman'.
A statement issued on Monday by Biman's Assistant Public Relations Officer Tasnim Akter said some information put in the report were 'misleading and one-sided'.
In the statement the national flag career-- Biman said it had invited an international tender to procure 55,000 (later corrected to 51,000) pieces of Hajj bags/kits containing a shoe bag, a prayer mat and a Tasbih in each for distributing among the pilgrims of 2014.
Three companies had participated in the bid and Formia was awarded the tender. As per the central purchase committee decision of Biman, Formia was asked to provide working samples in line with the specification in the tender.
"Formia was also asked if they were able to provide the kits as per the specifications and in reply Formia pledged to supply the kits according to the specifications on time," the Biman statement says.
The statement also said Formia provided the working sample on August 03 and Biman management rejected it. Later, local representative of Formia provided only Hajj bags after Biman again asked for working sample.
"Biman management found deviation in the working samples after evaluation on August 10 and again asked if Formia is able to supply the kits according to the specifications and Formia on the same day confirmed they would supply the kits," it said.
On August 17, Formia was asked to deposit performance bank guarantee (PBG) by August 23 and Formia deposited PBG on August 25. On the very same day, Biman issued purchase order (PO) to Formia and Formia supplied first installment of kits of 5000 pieces on August 26.
Biman statement said its inspection committee scrutinised the kits and cancelled the PO as the supplied kits were not as per the specifications. Biman also requested Formia not to supply anymore installments.
Biman said Formia has failed to provide goods as per the tender specifications and maintain deadline which has damaged the goodwill of Biman.
Our reply:
The report was prepared on the basis of written statements and speeches made by the Hong Kong- based company Formia Airline Supplies Ltd. and its legal consultant Legacy Legal Corporate at a press conference. No view(s) of The FE were reflected in the report.
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