The antitrust watchdog also opened two new investigations into rigged public procurement bids in 2013.
“The specialized department of the Competition Council opened in 2013 two investigations into rigged public procurement bids (17% of the total number of antitrust investigations opened). Five investigations (26%) have been completed, one of which resulted in the issuing of sanctions while for the other four there was not sufficient evidence that competition rules had been breached,” the report notes.
Following the investigation that found irregularities, four companies were fined a total RON12.5 million, which accounts for 14% of total fines the antitrust authority issued in 2013. The case involved the procurement of infantry arms and equipment for which the antitrust investigation started in 2009.