7.7.  Release of Financiers and Equity Investors

(a)  If the State has selected a Competing Respondent as the Preferred Respondent, has terminated or suspended the participation of the Respondent in the Tender Process or the Respondent has otherwise withdrawn from the Tender Process, the Respondent and each Respondent Member agrees, if requested in writing by the State, to release:

(i)  its Financiers and Equity Investors (as the case may be) from their respective commitments to the Respondent and Respondent Members to permit them, subject to written approval of the State, to participate in providing funding or other financial accommodation for a Competing Respondent; and

(ii)  any of its advisors to permit them, subject to the written approval of the State, to be involved in the Project with a Competing Respondent, the State or any of its Associates.

(b)  The release of a Financier, Equity Investor or advisor under Clause 7.7(a), will not limit or affect any confidentiality obligations that the Respondent or the State has in place or reasonably puts in place with the relevant Financiers or Equity Investors in order to protect the confidential information of the Respondent, Respondent Member or the State or its Associates.