By Bosphorus News Economy Desk
Türkiye's 2027-2047 vehicle inspection concession has come under review after an executive linked to Argentina-based VTV Norte was named in an ongoing bribery investigation in Argentina.
The MOI Joint Venture Group won Türkiye's vehicle inspection tender for the 2027-2047 period with a total concession payment of $1.72 billion. The operating structure behind the concession is being developed under TURKA, the company established for the next phase of Türkiye's vehicle inspection system.
The investigation concerns Martín Serrano, an executive linked to VTV Norte, who was named by Argentine prosecutors in a case involving alleged "active bribery" related to vehicle inspection tenders in Buenos Aires province. Serrano has not been convicted, and the case remains under judicial review.
Argentina Investigation Focuses on Buenos Aires Vehicle Inspection System
The Argentine case centers on the province of Buenos Aires' vehicle inspection system, known locally as Verificación Técnica Vehicular (VTV).
Prosecutors are investigating allegations involving former Buenos Aires Transport Minister Jorge D'Onofrio and executives from companies connected to the inspection system. Serrano was among the executives named in the proceedings.
The investigation examines alleged payments and business arrangements connected to vehicle inspection operations, including agreements involving Soluciones en Telecomunicaciones y Electrónica S.A.
According to Argentine reporting cited in the case file, prosecutors examined a May 15, 2023 agreement between inspection companies and the technology provider, signed one month before the deadline for bids in the Buenos Aires VTV tender.
Prosecutors argued that the company was not required for submitting bids but later became involved with companies that secured inspection contracts.
No conviction has been issued against Serrano, and the investigation remains an ongoing judicial process.
Consortium Behind Türkiye's 20-Year Concession
The MOI Joint Venture Group secured the rights to operate Türkiye's vehicle inspection system from 2027 to 2047.
The consortium consists of:
Met-Gün İnşaat
Opus Group AB
Itversia Gestion
VTV Norte S.A.
Opus Group identifies VTV Norte as part of its corporate structure. The relationship has drawn attention to how consortium ownership links, experience requirements and qualification checks were reviewed during the tender process.
The available information does not establish any violation of Türkiye's tender rules by the consortium or its members.
Parliament Raises Questions Over Foreign Partner Review
The issue was brought to Türkiye's Grand National Assembly by İYİ Party Balıkesir lawmaker Turhan Çömez, who asked Treasury and Finance Minister Mehmet Şimşek whether foreign consortium partners had been examined for corruption-related allegations before the tender process.
Şimşek said bidders had submitted commitments under the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) Anti-Bribery Convention framework and that tender conditions included restrictions on entities that could not participate.
The OECD commitment addresses compliance requirements but does not replace judicial proceedings in another jurisdiction.
Ownership Structure Remains Partly Undisclosed
Corporate records show that TURKA Second Region Vehicle Inspection Stations Construction and Operation Inc. was initially established on April 1, 2026, by Met-Gün İnşaat as its sole founder.
The company structure was later updated, ending single-shareholder status. However, publicly available records do not disclose the full distribution of shares among consortium members.
The available information does not establish the exact ownership percentages of the Turkish and foreign partners involved in the concession.
Financing Details Not Publicly Disclosed
The MOI consortium committed $1.72 billion for the two regional concession packages.
Publicly available information does not disclose how the payment was financed, including the contribution structure between Turkish and foreign partners or whether financial institutions participated.
The financing structure of the concession remains undisclosed in available records.
A Long-Term Public Service Concession
The concession covers Türkiye's mandatory vehicle inspection system for 20 years beginning in August 2027.
The operator will manage inspection services nationwide, while inspection fees will continue to be regulated by public authorities rather than freely determined by the operator.
The project represents one of Türkiye's largest long-term public service concessions involving international partners.
The Argentine investigation has brought attention to the review process behind a concession that will operate for two decades, but it does not establish criminal liability for the consortium or its partners in Türkiye.
Sources: Türkiye Grand National Assembly records, Türkiye Ministry of Treasury and Finance, Argentine judicial documents, La Nación, Bosphorus News review and reporting.