As special features, in this issue we bring you annual reviews of Serbian merger control and State aid, respectively.
As for the regular round-up of monthly developments, particularly interesting is an investigation into alleged coordination on the market for petroleum products, initiated by the Kosovo NCA.
Serbia
Merger control
Four new merger decisions
During the previous month, the Serbian NCA issued four new merger decisions. All were unconditional Phase I clearances.
Merger control
Merger Control in Serbia: 2018
In 2018 the Serbian NCA examined a record number of mergers. Here are some of the most interesting statistics from this period.
State aid
Five new State aid decisions
During February, the Serbian State aid authority rendered five new decisions. All pertained to State aid schemes. Four pertained to support to the media by local self-government units (worth approx. EUR 900,000 in total), while the fifth one concerned aid for professional rehab awarded by the Ministry of Labor, in the amount of approx. EUR 1 million.
State aid
State aid in Serbia: 2018
The main developments in Serbian State aid during 2018, in eight short questions and answers.
Kosovo NCA
Antitrust proceedings against 16 undertakings in the petroleum market
On suspicion that they have coordinated their behavior with respect to the pricing of petroleum products, the Kosovo NCA has launched an investigation against 16 undertakings active in the wholesale and/or retail of petroleum in Kosovo. The NCA's suspicion is inter alia based on the alleged trend that the prices of petroleum would not be lowered where there would be a reduction in the price of oil. The NCA is looking into the case both from a restrictive agreement and from an abuse of dominance perspective.
Montenegro
Merger control
Three new merger decisions
During February, the Montenegrin NCA rendered three new merger decisions. All were unconditional Phase I clearances.
Bosnia and Herzegovina
Merger control
Two new merger notifications
During February, the Bosnian NCA announced the receipt of two new merger notifications:
- JV between LG Electronics Inc (South Korea) and Lufthansa Technik AG (Germany), with respect to the production of civil aviation cabin management systems and other non-aircraft aviation equipment;
- ASA FINANCE d.d. (Bosnia and Herzegovina) - Vakufska banka d.d. (Bosnia and Herzegovina), in the market for universal banking services.
North Macedonia
Merger control
During February, the Macedonian NCA announced the receipt of three new merger notifications
- Bimal Invest d.o.o. (Serbia) - Novo Sunce d.o.o. (Serbia);
- Velcom (Belarus) - TAA Samit (Belarus);
- Velcom (Belarus) - Aychyna Plyus (Belarus).
General
Merger control in the Balkans: The app
An innovative online app for checking the merger filing thresholds in Serbia, Montenegro, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and North Macedonia.
Originally sent by e-mail. Original issue (mailchi.mp) · gajin.rs