Competition Newsletter: March-April 2025

Antitrust

NCA examines private healthcare services

The Serbian NCA has completed another sectoral inquiry, this time into the market for private healthcare services. In the inquiry, the NCA examined the relationships between key competitors in the private healthcare services market, including general hospitals and health centers. It also looked at the dynamics between private healthcare providers and insurance companies, through a review of their contractual agreements and the regulatory framework governing the market. The inquiry covered the period 2019-2023.

Merger control

21 new merger clearances

During March and April, the Montenegrin NCA published as many as 21 merger clearances:

• N Sport DOO (Serbia) - Intersport S Trgovina DOO (Serbia) [assets]
• SAV 92 doo (Ukraine) - Orbico Ukraine doo (Ukraine)
• Ingredion Germany GmbH (Germany), Agrana Stärke GmbH (Austria) - AGFD Tandarei SRL (Romania)
• Agri Europe Cyprus Limited (Cyprus) - Hipotekarna banka AD (Montenegro)
• Audi AG (Germany), Qatar Holding LLC (Qatar) - Sauber Holding AG (Switzerland)
• Betontrade d.o.o. (Slovenia) - JAVNA RAZSVETLJAVA d.d. (Slovenia), JRS d.d. (Slovenia)
• Erste Asset Management GmbH (Austria) - INTERCAPITAL ASSET MANAGEMENT d.o.o. (Croatia)
• ALPE GEF ZOB d.o.o. (Slovenia) - OrthoDental doo (Slovenia)
• ELEKTROPRIVREDA CRNE GORE AD (Montenegro) - Green Gvozd d.o.o. (Montenegro)
• KF FINANCE doo (Slovenia) - ZA & SVET doo (Slovenia)
• e& PPF Telecom Group B.V. (Netherlands) - SERBIA BROADBAND-SRPSKE KABLOVSKE MREŽE DOO (Serbia)
• TENFORE DOO (Serbia) - EKI PAY doo (Serbia)
• Telekom Srbija AD (Serbia) - SBB doo (Serbia) [assets]
• United Media S.à r.l. (Luxembourg), Paxana Holdings Limited (Cyprus) - Dasen Holdings Limited (Cyprus), Audiomax Holdings SA (Greece)
• Fashion Company doo (Serbia) - AB-Line d.o.o. (Bosnia and Herzegovina)
• Volkswagen AG (Germany), Rivian Automotive, Inc. (USA) [JV]
• ADVANCE ENERGY SOLUTIONS doo (Slovenia) - OIE DONJI VIDOVEC d.o.o. (Croatia), OIE RASINJA d.o.o. (Croatia), SUNČANA ELEKTRANA DONJI VIDOVEC d.o.o. (Croatia), SUNČANA ELEKTRANA RASINJA d.o.o. (Croatia)
• BHTelecom dd (Bosnia and Herzegovina) - Telemach Crna Gora doo (Montenegro), Telemach BH doo (Bosnia and Herzegovina)
• Diagnostični center Vila Bogatin d.o.o. (Slovenia) - MDT&T doo (Slovenia), MEDILAB doo (Slovenia)
• Advance Capital Partners d.d. (Slovenia) - UNITUR doo (Slovenia)
• Telekom Srbija AD (Serbia) - SKYNET KTV DOO (Serbia) [assets]
• Ardian France SA (France) - Akuo SAS (France)

Merger control

Three new merger notifications

During March and April, the Bosnian NCA announced the receipt of three new merger notifications:

• Fashion Company doo (Serbia) - AB - Line doo (Bosnia and Herzegovina)
• Vega doo (Serbia) - Phoenix doo (Bosnia and Herzegovina)
• BH Telecom dd (Bosnia and Herzegovina) - Telemach BH doo (Bosnia and Herzegovina)

Antitrust

NCA investigates potential cartel in the insurance market

In a rare sign of cartel enforcement, the North Macedonian NCA has started an antitrust investigation against ten North Macedonian insurance companies, for their alleged fixing of the price of car insurance. According to the NCA, the alleged infringement occurred in April 2024. Apparently, when inspecting the premises and communication of the investigated companies, the NCA found evidence of their concerted behavior concerning the premium for car insurance. If the NCA establishes a cartel, it could impose fines on the infringers in misdemeanor proceedings.

Merger control

16 new merger notifications

During March and April, the North Macedonian NCA announced the receipt of 16 new merger notifications:

• Telekom Serbia ad (Serbia) - United Group [assets]
• Vega doo (Serbia) - BENU (Montenegro)
• Allwyn International AG (Switzerland) - Logflex MT Holding Limited (Malta)
• e& PPF Telecom Group B.V. (Netherlands) - SERBIA BROADBAND - SRPSKE KABLOVSKE MREŽE DOO (Serbia)
• KFP doo (Slovenia) - CONTALL doo (Slovenia)
• Con-Tec Control (Turkey) - ASI Trade-M (North Macedonia)
• Allwyn International AG (Switzerland), six natural persons (Germany) - Next Lotto GmbH (Germany)
• Best Way Investment dooel (North Macedonia), Orka Holdin ad (North Macedonia) - Sofija Gradba doo (North Macedonia)
• Hellenic Energy Holdings S.A. (Greece) - ELPEDISON B.V. (Netherlands)
• Dijagnostički Centar Vila Bogatin doo (Slovenia) - Kardiološki center doo (Slovenia)
• GEN Energija doo (Slovenia) - Gorenjske elektrarne doo (Slovenia)
• M&I Systems, Co. (Serbia) - NPS doo (Serbia)
• Orvas doo (Croatia) - Kanarija doo (Croatia)
• ALFI doo (Slovenia) - Panorganiks doo (Slovenia)
• KJK III Holding Sarl (Luxembourg) - KOLPA doo (Slovenia)
• Austrotherm GmbH (Austria) - Gruppo Poron Srl (Italy), Italconsult Srl (Italy)