The workshop on 11 September targeted representatives from the Austrian social partnership, the economy and the private sector. Entitled “Strengthening compliance to fighting bid rigging”, this event focused on prevention tools such as whistleblowing systems, leniency programmes and effective compliance measures. Talks by experts from the OECD, the Central Public Prosecutor for Economic Crime and Corruption and the AFCA dealt with the relevant national and international laws, presenting an overview of current cases and underlining the importance of businesses and institutions being able to recognise bid rigging from the outset. Participants also had the chance to apply their newly acquired theoretical knowledge in practice by working on a hypothetical case study.
The workshop on 12 September was dedicated to “Strengthening legal oversight in fighting bid rigging”. In talks and discussions, Andreas Kumin, judge to the Court of Justice of the European Union, highlighted relevant CJEU court rulings, and Sonja Köller-Thier, Senate President at Vienna Higher Regional Court, presented related decisions by the Austrian Cartel Court. Current AFCA cases as well as the OECD’s international perspective were also presented. The workshop was rounded off by Daniel Madari from Vienna University of Economics and Business, who talked about private enforcement and the calculation of claims for damages.
“Prevention, knowledge transfer and dialogue will help us ensure that bid rigging becomes a thing of the past. I am delighted that our initiative has been met with such enthusiasm and support,” comments Director General Natalie Harsdorf.
The project is funded by the European Commission’s Directorate-General for Structural Reform Support (DG REFORM) and jointly implemented by the OECD and AFCA.
