In this article we would like to share the recent experience of the Hungarian Competition Office (GVH) with the international antitrust community. First, the relevant provisions of public procurement and competition regulations are presented. The reader will note that these are not uniquely Hungarian rules, but show remarkable similarities with corresponding legislation at EU and Member State level. Next, the characteristics of the Hungarian construction sector are set out?here again it might be noted that most EU Member States have similar market structures. Before analysing the competition issues at stake, the stories of the cases are presented. This article examines the following competition issues related to cartel activities: types of bid-rigging; the importance of market definition; the calculation of fines; and the functioning of the leniency programme. Finally, some of the procedural issues that amount to a significant part of the defence put forward by companies are scrutinised. The article concludes with a look into the future, highlighting some of the consequences of EU membership.
World Competition