Hong Kong competition watchdog launches raids over suspected HK$500 million renovation bid-rigging
Hong Kong’s competition watchdog has launched raids at 12 premises over alleged bid-rigging involving 28 building renovation projects worth around HK$500 million. The Competition Commission said on Thursday that the raids, conducted on Wednesday under an operation codenamed “Hunter,” included the offices of four unnamed building contractors. The operation was a follow-up to an investigation […]
The Hong Kong Competition Commission has conducted raids at 12 locations, targeting 28 building renovation projects valued at around HK$500 million. The operation, code-named "Hunter," took place on Wednesday and targeted building contractors' offices. The investigation followed a January probe where the watchdog searched 14 companies over suspected bid-rigging in HK$700 million worth of building renovation contracts.
During January's operation, the commission discovered a new bid-rigging syndicate attempting to influence the outcome of a building maintenance project. The contractor suspected of involvement allegedly instructed other firms, known as "homework," to manipulate tender results. The 28 projects were spread across 12 districts in Hong Kong, with some still awaiting award.
The crackdown on bid-rigging in the city's building maintenance sector was prompted by the massive fire at Tai Po's Wang Fuk Court in November last year, which claimed 168 lives. The commission has called for bid-rigging to be made a criminal offense, describing the behavior as "widespread" and "systematic" in Hong Kong.
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