Joint investigations by anti-graft bodies of France and Britain have showed that Airbus bribed Nepal Airlines Corporation (NAC) officials while procuring narrow-body planes in 2015. The investigations showed the airplane manufacturer sent 340,000 euro (around Rs 40 million) to Nepal in two installments in 2014 and 2015 for selling the airplanes. The Kathmandu Post first reported the issue citing a settlement document released by the French National Financial Prosecutor’s Office.
The investigations have cited statements of NAC officials as well.
Madan Kharel was the NAC general manager then. Kharel, who was executive chairman until two weeks back, has already resigned and left the country.
The investigation report mentions that Airbus had appointed a businessman its agent in 2007 to sell the planes. The businessman made arrangements with the NAC officials to procure the planes.
The NAC then signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to sign one Airbus A320 and one A330 in 2009. But procurement agreement was signed in 2011 to buy two A320s.
The report mentions that commitment to give $1.80 million was made for success of the procurement process with the NAC.
The International Relations Committee of the parliament had investigated the procurement process in the past but has not published the report.
