Kickbacks & bribes in 3rd world countries are one of the reasons they continue to exist at 3rd world standards.

In the developed world they are unacceptable because they frequently mean that tenders are awarded to companies that are not the most fit to receive them. A bit like Malcolm changing the rules to favour Douglas over Macbeth, and we all know how that turned out.

If I am reading the opening post correctly we have a developed country doing business with a 3rd world country, and setting their business ethics to the lowest common denominator. Leading by example, I suppose. Or perhaps maintaining the status quo as long as it is profitable to do so.