The authority initiated an investigation into suspected bid-rigging following initial indications of violations.
Saudi Arabia’s General Authority for Competition (GAC) has uncovered suspected collusion in tenders and bids worth more than 509.67 million riyals, underscoring the potential impact of such practices on public spending efficiency.
The authority said it conducted extensive investigations and evidence gathering into alleged bid-rigging after early indicators suggested prohibited practices.
The authority charged 16 firms over their involvement in collusion violations and reached financial settlement agreements with 13 of them after they applied under approved procedures, with total settlements amounting to 7.53 million riyals.
Legal proceedings have been initiated against three firms that did not reach settlement agreements, with the cases currently under review by the committee responsible for adjudicating competition law violations.
The authority also noted that the telecommunications and information technology sector was the most affected, accounting for 46% of cases, followed by the trade sector at 39% and construction at 15%.
The GAC added that addressing such practices strengthens fair competition, enhances government spending efficiency, and reduces financial waste caused by unlawful agreements, while also promoting transparency and investor confidence in line with Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 economic objectives.
