The Civil Aviation Authority of Bangladesh (CAAB) purchases equipment through several international organisations.

Prior to the procurement, Factory Acceptance Test (FAT) is carried out and CAAB officials get training. However, there’s an allegation that in carrying out the tests, CAAB officials go overseas at the cost of contractors.

Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB) feels that such FAT trips at the cost of the contractor may face questions.

Sources say, on Oct 25, CAAB Member (administration) Hemayet Hossain and Executive Engineer Mohammad Zakaria Hossain went for a UK trip to carry out factory tests which was borne by Rasel Trading. It’s believed that others also went to the UK at the expense of this institution.

Source also says on Oct 7 last, Executive Engineer Shubhashish Barua and Assistant Programmer Mohamamd Mehdi Hassan went to China.

Other members also went from time to time at the cost of the contractor. In this regard, TIB Director (research and policy) Mohammad Rafiqul Islam told Bangla Tribune, “Such trips can only be deemed valid if it’s mentioned in the purchase procedure otherwise, such visits will be questioned.”

The best option is for the buying authority to gather information via factory visits.

CAAB Member (operations and planning) Mostafizur Rahman says, “It’s not a risk to go abroad on the cost of the contractor agency since all equipment to be purchased has a warranty which has to be respected.”

At the same time, the product is inspected once it arrives in the country; also, tenders include foreign visits to be carried out by the contractor, he added.