In Odesa region, two companies resorted to fraud and received a multimillion-dollar fine

In Odesa region, antitrust authorities exposed a collusion in public procurement and fined two companies UAH 10 million.

This was reported by the Antimonopoly Committee of Ukraine.

According to the AMCU, these are LC Energomir LLC and EC Ukrenergomontazh LLC. Their actions were recognized as anticompetitive and in violation of the Law of Ukraine "On Protection of Economic Competition". The companies colluded to distort the results of public procurement tenders, which reduced competition.

The agency found that the two firms participated in several large tenders, including those for the overhaul of power supply networks, replacement of equipment, and reconstruction of power grids. The customers for these projects were the Yuzhny Commercial Sea Port, Odesa State University of Internal Affairs, and Odesa City Council. The total value of the tenders was over UAH 81 million.

The investigation revealed that the companies had agreed on the terms of participation in the tenders, effectively eliminating competition between them. They were fined over UAH 10 million for these violations.

It is worth noting that, according to the law, companies that have been prosecuted for tender distortion in the last three years may be excluded from participation in public procurement.

Earlier, in Odesa, the AMCU exposed collusion between companies in a tender for elevator maintenance services.

The antitrust authorities also imposed a fine on a passenger transportation company for failing to provide information. This is Avtoline Odesa LLC.

In addition, two Odesa hotels added stars to their hotels, although they did not have the appropriate documents. Antimonopoly authorities imposed a fine on these hotels.

Ірина Глухова