The OLG thus fully granted the applications of the Federal Competition Authority (BWB), according to a press release. In the case of the fine, the decision is not yet legally binding.

Company Names Not Mentioned

In the second case, where the BWB only wanted to determine a violation of antitrust law, the affected company is in liquidation. The names of the affected companies are not mentioned. The corresponding offenses mainly concern Lower Austria, with a minor extent involving projects in Burgenland, according to an OLG spokeswoman.

"The subject of these two proceedings is regional participation in antitrust price agreements and/or price coordination, market divisions, and information exchange with competitors regarding public and private tenders in the field of civil engineering," according to the OLG's statement.

Cartel Exposed in 2016

The cartel affects the construction industry throughout Austria, with a focus on the road construction sector. Both public and private clients are affected. It involves a large number of construction projects. The cartel was exposed in 2016 when a folder was found at the Carinthian construction company Kostmann - later a key witness.

(APA/Red)

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