Starting from this newsletter, we are also bringing you news about the activities of the Kosovo NCA.
Apart from an annual review of competition developments in the Balkan jurisdictions, we also report what was new during the first month of 2019.
Serbia
Year in review
Competition Law in Serbia: 2018
What was new in Serbian competition law during 2018?
Merger control
Fourteen new merger decisions
During the previous month, the Serbian NCA rendered as many as 14 merger decisions. All were unconditional Phase I clearances.
State aid
Two new State aid decisions
During the first month of 2019, the Serbian State aid authority rendered two decisions - one in ex ante and one in ex post proceedings. The total amount of cleared aid was approx. EUR 8 million.
Other developments
NCA publishes the results of a sectoral inquiry into the retail market
The Serbian NCA has completed a sectoral inquiry into the Serbian retail market (non-specialized retail stores supplying food, beverages, tobacco and other consumer products). The inquiry covered the period 2014-2016. Among the NCA's recommendations was the creation of a public register of retailers. As soon as 1 March 2019, the NCA will start a new sectoral inquiry into the retail market, this time covering 2017 and 2018.
News from the Kosovo NCA
Kosovo NCA investigates the petroleum products market
The Kosovo NCA has performed a preliminary inquiry into the market for the supply of petroleum products in Kosovo. Based on the data it has collected thus far, the NCA could not conclusively establish whether there are grounds for suspicion of restrictive agreements and/or abuse of dominance in this market. Accordingly, the NCA announced it will proceed with further probes in the market.
News from the Kosovo NCA
Kosovo NCA uncovers a barbers cartel
The Kosovo NCA has announced it has discovered an attempted cartel of barbers from the town of Podujevo. The barbers entered into an agreement the purpose of which was to fix the prices for their services. Since the NCA found out about the cartel before it was implemented, it decided not to open a formal investigation, as the parties withdrew their agreement.
Montenegro
Year in review
Competition Law in Montenegro: 2018
What was new in Montenegrin competition law during 2018?
Antitrust
One individual exemption decision
Montenegro still has a system of individual exemption based on prior notification to the NCA. Last month, the NCA published one such exemption decision, concerning a distribution agreement between Merck, Sharp and Dohme B.V (Netherlands) and Montenegrin company Glosarij CD. The NCA exempted the agreement for a period of three years.
Merger control
Five new merger decisions
During January, the Montenegrin NCA published five new merger decisions. All were unconditional Phase I clearances.
Bosnia and Herzegovina
Year in review
Competition Law in Bosnia and Herzegovina: 2018
What was new in Bosnian competition law during 2018?
Macedonia (FYROM)
Year in review
Competition law in Macedonia: 2018
What was new in Macedonian competition law during 2018?
General
Merger control in the Balkans: The app
We have developed an innovative online app for checking the merger filing thresholds in Serbia, Montenegro, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Macedonia (FYROM).
Originally sent by e-mail. Original issue (mailchi.mp) · gajin.rs