The use of informal contract labor in underdeveloped markets is blamed by the McKinsey Global authors for missed deadlines and other cost overruns.

FORBES: Infrastructure Consolation in a McKinsey Chart (or 2)

In some cultures, personal bonds and informal agreements are far more binding than any formal contract.

FORBES: How Culture Controls Communication

The trade mission also offered the chance for some informal lobbying over Bombardier's loss of a multi-million Department for Transport contract to build new carriages for the UK's Thameslink.

BBC: Pressure grows on PM over Bombardier's contract loss