The Austrian Federal Competition Authority (AFCA) has initiated proceedings against construction company Marko for its participation in a cartel that engaged in price-fixing, market sharing, and information exchange with competitors. This cartel operated in the construction sector across Austria from August 2013 to July 2016, impacting both public and private construction tenders.

According to the investigation by the Federal Competition Authority (BWB), Marko was one of several companies involved in this infringement, which aimed to reduce competition by coordinating efforts to win contracts and secure market shares. The collusion primarily involved civil and structural engineering projects, with a significant focus on road building.

The AFCA has applied to the Cartel Court for an appropriate fine against Marko, which could be up to 10% of the company's total turnover from the previous business year, depending on the severity and duration of the infringement. The ongoing investigations have revealed that the companies involved engaged in various anti-competitive practices, including agreeing on winning bidders, fixing prices, and submitting false bids.

As the proceedings continue, the AFCA emphasizes the importance of enforcing competition laws to prevent such anti-competitive behavior in the construction industry, which has far-reaching implications for market integrity and consumer choice.