Spain: Competition regulator to probe government construction contracts

Spanish competition authority CNMC has announced a new offensive against possible anticompetitive practices in the awarding and execution of major government contracts. In particular, it will focus on investigating large companies suspected of having acted as a cartel, including major figures in Spanish and Latin American industry.

Among the companies identified as allegedly involved in cartel actions are well-known players such as ACS, OHL, Abengoa, Indra, Isolux, Comsa and Sacyr, with a total of 25 companies being investigated overall. The agency will probe allegations of fraud or collusion in the construction and rehabilitation of highways, bridges and high-velocity rail lines, among other infrastructure projects.

The CNMC revealed suspicions of alleged market manipulation by setting commercial terms or exchanging sensitive commercial information. The authority also carried out surprise inspections towards the end of May this year.

Full Content: Cinco Dias

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