Read the article below and answer Q.1.1 - Q.1.7 Treasury bans Bain and Co. from public sector contracts for a decade: National Treasury has banned consultancy Bain & Co. from tendering for public sector contracts for a period of 10 years for engaging in "corrupt and fraudulent practices" related to its contract at the SA Revenue Service (SARS).

The ban will run from 5 September 2022 until 4 September 2032. "This restriction has been published on the National Treasury website and database for restricted suppliers. The restriction will apply to any other contract for services awarded to Bain & Co in the public sector." Treasury said it was, in collaboration with SARS, "in the process of restricting Bain & Co, South African Directors through a phased approach". The decision to ban the company comes seven weeks after the UK government banned it from competing for state contracts for three years.

Source: Cronje, J. 2022. Treasury bans Bain and Co. from public sector contracts for a decade. Available from: https://www.news24.com/fin24/companies/breaking-treasury-bans-bain-co- from-public-sector-contracts-for-a-decade-20220929 (accessed 25 October 2022).

_{Q.1.7. Discuss the growing importance of intellectual capital and learning for a consulting firm such as Bain and Company. (15)}