The coronavirus outbreak is continuing to have a significant impact on competition law enforcement in the Balkans - in addition to Serbia, North Macedonia has also introduced special merger control deadlines during the pandemic.
Elsewhere, the Montenegrin government appointed an acting head of the country's competition authority, while, after being included in the latest edition of Chambers Europe, Doklestic Repic & Gajin lawyers also feature in the new rankings published by Legal 500.
Serbia
Serbia in a state of emergency
The state of emergency, which the Serbian Government declared on March 15, is still in force. There have been indications that it will be abolished during the first half of May.
Deadlines for merger control in Serbia during the COVID-19 outbreak
During the state of emergency declared in the wake of the pandemic, the merger control deadlines in Serbia are modified.
State aid
Two special State aid regulations adopted
Serbia has adopted two special State aid regulations, which govern the assessment of state support for alleviating the effects of the COVID-19 outbreak. The regulations pertain to the reimbursement of eligible costs concerning the pandemic and to aid for remedying a serious disturbance in the economy, respectively. For more information, please contact Dr. Dragan Gajin, Head of Competition at Doklestic Repic & Gajin.
State aid
Investment aid to Henkel cleared
The Serbian State aid watchdog - Commission for State Aid Control - has cleared investment aid to Henkel Serbia (part of Henkel Group). The aid, in the amount of EUR 14.4 million, will be used to partially offset the costs of the construction of Henkel's new production facility in Serbia.
State aid
Doklestic Repic & Gajin in the latest Legal 500 rankings
After being included in the latest edition of Chambers Europe, Doklestic Repic & Gajin lawyers also feature in the new rankings published by Legal 500.
After being included in the latest edition of Chambers Europe, Read more
Montenegro
Acting head of the NCA appointed
On March 12, the Montenegrin Government appointed Ms. Lepa Aleksic as the acting head of the Montenegrin NCA - Agency for Protection of Competition. She was appointed in this capacity for a term of up to six months, until the permanent head is appointed.
Two new merger decisions
Despite the pandemic, the Montenegrin NCA has continued with its merger control activities: during April, it cleared two concentrations. Both were cleared unconditionally, in a Phase I procedure.
Bosnia and Herzegovina
Acquisition in the oil transport sector found to be not notifiable
The Bosnian NCA - Competition Council of Bosnia and Herzegovina - has dismissed a merger notification submitted by Naftna industrija Srbije ad (NIS) concerning the planned acquisition of Bosnian company Jadran-Naftagas doo Banjaluka. Jadran-Naftagas is a joint venture between NIS, controlled by Gazprom Neft, and Russian company NeftegazInKor. The Bosnian NCA dismissed the notification as it found that the planned transaction would not lead to a change of control.
Notice on State aid due to the COVID-19 outbreak
The Bosnian State aid authority - the State Aid Council of Bosnia and Herzegovina - has published a notice on how government assistance to businesses will be assessed under the country's State aid framework. The notice relies heavily on the relevant EU sources.
North Macedonia
North Macedonia extends its state of emergency
Initially imposed in mid-March, the state of emergency in North Macedonia has now been extended to May 17. It remains to be seen whether there will be further extensions of the emergency.
Merger control
Special rules for merger control deadlines during the COVID-19 outbreak
During the state of emergency declared due to the coronavirus outbreak, North Macedonia has special rules for the calculation of its merger control deadlines.
Merger control
No new merger notifications published
During April, the North Macedonian NCA did not publish a single new merger notification on its website. This must be read in the context of the special merger control deadlines during the pandemic (see the news immediately above).
General
Coronavirus Cancellations of Flights and Accommodation: How to Get Full Refund
Outside the sphere of competition law - Dr. Dragan Gajin, Head of Competition at Doklestic Repic & Gajin, shares his experiences and tips for getting refunds for flights and accommodation cancelled due to the COVID-19 outbreak.
Originally sent by e-mail. Original issue (mailchi.mp) · gajin.rs