Don't for a second suggest that this is about 'foreign companies bribing their way into something'. It's 100% powerful officials 'demanding kickbacks' for cont

Don't for a second suggest that this is about 'foreign companies bribing their way into something'. It's 100% powerful officials 'demanding kickbacks' for contracts and business - which is exactly 'the culture' that goes on in literally most of the world. The comments here are (and I don't mean to be denigrating) naive. Imagine that for all major contracts, say 10% will split between the buyer, possibly the 'local official' making the sale, possibly a 3rd party connection. It's been like that 'always'. The only way this will change, is if local government require it to happen. IKEA tried to hold out in Russia and they did for years. Until they caved paid the local mafia-ish guy his cut. And then Moscow got IKEAS. That's it. No cut, no IKEA. IKEA does not bribe people in US, Canada, Germany. (or at least not in any systematic way)