The Swiss Competition Commission (Comco) is expanding an investigation launched in 2020 into possible bid-rigging cartels in the construction sector in the Italian-speaking region of Moesa, in the canton of Graubünden. Nine companies are now under investigation. This is the second extension of the investigation following an initial one in 2021, the federal authority said on Thursday. Comco had initially launched an investigation into three construction firms, before extending the proceedings to six firms a year later. After forwarding the findings of the investigation to the companies concerned, and inviting them to comment, one company provided new information, prompting Comco to carry out further investigations. These revealed evidence suggesting the existence of other agreements involving additional companies. “This is why the proceedings have now been extended to a total of nine companies,” writes Comco, noting that the presumption of innocence applies to all companies. “The …