AMP and Rice: Can it Kick the Sole Source Contracting Habit?

You will remember that massive rice deal that was reported in September - - - - http://thediliinsider.blogspot.com/2008/09/what-lies-between-dili-and-bangkok-sea.html

It would appear that Thai Rice is coming to Dili. By the shipload - many of them.

In the last three weeks the Government appears to have awarded tens of millions of dollars of rice contracts to friends and allies. Not many, if any, tenders seems to have occured for these rice deals. But then again it is a food crisis period......

12 companies are reportedly invloved. Including but not limited to:

1. ATRAMOR for $1,848,640
2. BELUN FETO for $3,842,500
3. STAR KING for $3,842,000
4. MAUBARA FITUN NAROMAN for $3,843,000
5. UNITED FOOD for $3,842,500
6. SERBAJAYA for $1,615,000
7. TRES,AMIGOS for $3,843,500
(we will remember this companies $14 million contract in July 2008 http://thediliinsider.blogspot.com/2008/07/rice-and-patronage.html It is proving to be a very good year for Xanana's friend Germanu da Silva. Have you seen the quality of his house recently.....?)

GRAND TOTAL $22,677,140 in rice contracts.... equal to 20% of Timor-Leste entire national budget in 2005....!