How is Phan Quoc Viet involved with AIC President Nguyen Thi Thanh Nhan?

In the case of Bidding violations causing serious consequences at Progressive International Joint Stock Company (AIC), Ho Chi Minh City Department of Planning and Investment and Ho Chi Minh City Biotechnology Center, the Ministry of Public Security proposed to prosecute Ms. Nguyen Thi Thanh. Nhan (former Chairman of AIC Company) and 13 defendants charged with many crimes.

In particular, Ms. Nhan was investigated for two crimes: Violating bidding regulations causing serious consequences and Giving bribes.

The investigation agency alleges that Ms. Nhan and her accomplices committed many fraudulent acts to raise prices to ensure profits for AIC Company, during the implementation of 10 bidding packages of the 12 Chinese laboratory project. Biotechnology Center under the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development of Ho Chi Minh City.

The defendants colluded with Hong Ha Consulting Company to advise on preparing bidding documents in favor of AIC Company or a company designated by AIC.

Since then, AIC Company and Mopha Company (belonging to the AIC ecosystem) have won 6 bidding packages and companies designated by AIC including Gene Viet Company, Viet A Company, and Vimedimex Company have won 3 bidding packages.

According to the investigation conclusion, Chairman of Gene Viet Company Nguyen Xuan Vu admitted that because the company was newly established, he wanted to have the capacity and experience to develop the biotechnology sector, so through his acquaintance with Ms. Nguyen Thi Thanh. Nhan (Chairman of AIC Company), proposed that Gene Viet participate in a joint venture with AIC in bidding packages for 12 laboratory projects.

In early 2015, Phan Quoc Viet learned that AIC Company had agreed to let Gene Viet Company (with 10% of Viet A’s capital contribution) enter into a joint venture to carry out 3 bidding packages for phase 1 of the 12 laboratory project, with the condition that Ensuring AIC Company’s profits remain intact and Gene Viet Company is responsible for all bidding procedures.

Because Gene Viet Company was newly established and did not have enough capacity, this company assigned Viet A to act as a joint venture with AIC Company and carry out procedures on behalf of Gene Viet Company.

According to assignment, Viet assigned the Deputy General Director of Viet A to research and adjust the equipment list in the direction of including equipment that Gene Viet Company has strengths in; Assign subordinates to develop bidding documents to create advantages for the AIC – Viet A joint venture, find a unit whose name wins a bidding package to avoid lawsuits.

At the same time, Viet assigned the Deputy General Director of AIC to prepare bid documents for “green army” companies, to ensure that the qualified joint venture AIC – Viet A won the bid, avoiding bid cancellation.

After winning the bid, Viet A Company contacted contractors to buy equipment, then sold it to Gene Viet Company and Mopha Company at the correct purchase price, so that these two units could sell it to AIC Company and Mopha Company. Vimedimex Company before handing over to the Biotechnology Center.

According to the investigation conclusion, Viet A Company did not benefit from the above project. Phan Quoc Viet was also not criminally prosecuted. And Gene Viet Company suffered a loss in phase 1 of the project

In phases 2 and 3, Gene Viet Company asked the leaders of Technimex Company to lend their capacity profile to bid. After that, Gene Viet and Technimex joined forces to participate in 2 bidding packages.

In particular, Technimex heads the joint venture in name but in reality Gene Viet is the supplier of goods to the Biotechnology Center, and directly contacts and works with suppliers. In these two bidding packages, Gene Viet Company received more than 3.2 billion VND.