During May, Serbia was the most active antitrust jurisdiction in the Balkans. Inter alia, the Serbian NCA has opened an antitrust investigation against a Polish sports equipment company, published guidance on dawn raids, and terminated antitrust proceedings against the Serbian Bar Association.
Other notable developments include an overview of the Serbian NCA's merger control activity during Q1 2018 and the publication of a sector inquiry into the food retail market.
Serbia
Antitrust
Antitrust probe against a Polish sports equipment company
The Serbian NCA has started an antitrust investigation against a Polish company Polanik Sp. z o.o. and its Serbian distributor (GR Sport). Allegedly, the parties entered into a restrictive exclusive distribution agreement which they did not notify to the NCA.
Antitrust
The NCA publishes its guidance on dawn raids
After conducting dawn raids for a few years already, the Serbian NCA has recently published a guidance about the rights and obligations of undertakings facing unannounced inspections.
Antitrust
Antitrust probe against the Serbian Bar Association terminated
The Serbian NCA has abandoned its case against the Serbian Bar Association, initiated back in 2014. The case concerned the setting of bar admission fees, payable by lawyers wishing to be admitted to the practice of law.
Merger control
Seven new merger decisions
During the previous month, the Serbian NCA published seven merger decisions, all unconditional Phase I clearances.
Merger control
Merger control in Serbia: Q1 2018
We have prepared an overview of the Serbian NCA's merger control activity during the last quarter.
State aid
Seven new State aid decisions
During May, the Serbian State aid authority published seven new State aid decisions - four concerning individual aid and three concerning State aid schemes.
State aid
The total amount of approved aid amounted to approx. EUR 194 million
The largest contributor to this amount was a scheme of investment support worth around EUR 100 million (aimed at attracting foreign investments).
Other developments
Retail market in Serbia: Delhaize and Agrokor stand out
The Serbian NCA has recently conducted a sector inquiry into the Serbian retail food market. The NCA has now published some of its findings, which contain interesting information about the structure of the market.
Montenegro
Antitrust
Montenegrin NCA on a market analysis offensive
The NCA has recently conducted three market analyses and based on the findings started one new cartel case.
Merger control
Two new merger decisions
During the previous month, the Montenegrin NCA published two new merger decisions, both unconditional Phase I clearances.
State aid
One new State aid decision
During May, the Montenegrin State aid authority published one new State aid decision (concerning support to investors in a Montenegro municipality).
Bosnia and Herzegovina
Antitrust
One new individual exemption granted
The Bosnian NCA has granted an individual exemption from prohibition to a restrictive agreement between Coca-Cola HBC Serbia and MB Impeks (Bosnia and Herzegovina).
Antitrust
One antitrust claim against BH Telecom rejected, another being investigated
The Bosnian NCA has terminated an antitrust proceeding against the Bosnian telecom incumbent BH Telecom. The proceeding had been initiated based on a complaint by another telecom operator in Bosnia - Telemach. However, apart from good news, there is also bad news this month for BH Telecom, as the Bosnian NCA has just started another antitrust proceeding against the company, upon complaint by telecom operator Europronet Bosnia.
Antitrust
Another abuse of dominance case
The Bosnian NCA has started an antitrust investigation against the company Tesla d.d. (Bosnia and Herzegovina). The proceeding was started upon a complaint by a Bosnian company Bill Colour Metal.
Merger control
One new merger notification
During May, the Bosnian NCA announced the receipt of one new merger notification:
- Mtel a.d. Banja Luka (Bosnia and Herzegovina) - Telrad Net d.o.o. Bijeljina (Bosnia and Herzegovina).
Macedonia (FYROM)
Merger control
Seven new merger notifications
During May, the Macedonian NCA announced the receipt of seven new merger notifications:
- Teva Pharmaceuticals Industries (Israel) - PGT Healthcare LLP (USA);
- LG Electronics, Inc. (Korea) - ZKW Holding GmbH (Austria) / Mommert Gewerbeimmobilien Verwaltungs GmbH (Austria);
- Siemens AG (Germany) - Alstom SA (France);
- Triglav INT d.d. (Slovenia) - Raiffeisen mirovinsko osiguravajuce drustvo d.d. (Croatia);
- Fero Invest doo (Macedonia) - MHE Jablanica doo (Macedonia);
- Adient US LLC (USA) / THE BOEING COMPANY (USA);
- Sport Vision doo (Bosnia and Herzegovina) - Sport Vision doo (Montenegro).
General
Merger control in the Balkans: The basics
Basic information about the merger filing process in Serbia, Montenegro, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Macedonia (FYROM)
Merger control in the Balkans: The app
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