The Competition Council has fined Napoca Construction Company SA and Beton Constructorul SRL a total of 1.42 million lei (286,758 euros) for rigging a tender launched by the Chinteni Municipality in Cluj County.
The fines were imposed as follows:
- Napoca Construction Company SA: 1,238,185.44 lei
- Beton Constructorul SRL: 187,735.43 lei
During an investigation initiated ex officio in 2023, the Competition Council found that the two companies exchanged commercially sensitive information and coordinated their behavior during their participation in the public tender organized by the Chinteni Municipality for road rehabilitation. This coordination ensured that one of the companies would win the tender.
By doing so, they eliminated competition between them, maximizing their chances of winning against other participants in the tender.
Both Napoca Construction Company SA and Beton Constructorul SRL fully acknowledged their actions and benefited from reduced fines.
It should be noted that competition law prohibits any agreements between companies that restrict, distort, or hinder competition in the Romanian market.
The Competition Authority encourages companies involved in anti-competitive practices to contact the institution, as they may benefit from immunity or substantial fine reductions. More information about the leniency program is available on the dedicated website: www.clementa.ro.
The Competition Council’s decision will be published on the institution’s website after removing confidential information.