15 Sep 2010

Contract rules revised

6:03 am on 15 September 2010

NATO command in Afghanistan has issued new guidelines for awarding international contracts, in an attempt to stem corruption.

The BBC reports the new rules are designed to increase oversight for billions of dollars worth of contracts for services ranging from transportation to food.

Commanders said that without the extra oversight there was a risk of fuelling corruption and financing insurgents.

It is thought about $US14 billion per year is currently being paid to contractors.

Earlier this year, Afghanistan's finance ministry said billions of dollars in cash had flowed out of the country via Kabul airport.