The highlight of this issue is our review of merger control in Serbia in 2019, including how many of the examined transactions were extraterritorial.
Elsewhere, aid to a Serbian airport has been cleared, North Macedonia has extended its state of emergency until mid June, and merger control activities continue throughout the region.
Serbia
State of emergency lifted
The state of emergency in Serbia, which the government introduced due to the COVID-19 outbreak on March 15, has now been lifted.
Merger control
Merger control in Serbia: 2019
We have prepared a statistical overview of merger control in Serbia, including how many of the examined transactions were extraterritorial.
Merger control
NCA issues guidance on merger control rules
The Serbian NCA has issued a guidance clarifying some of the main elements of the Serbian merger control regime.
State aid
Aid to local airport cleared
The Serbian State aid watchdog, the Commission for State Aid Control, has cleared government support to the Niš Aiport, the second biggest airport in Serbia. The aid is for the performance of service of general economic interest, in the total amount of approx. EUR 1.5 million.
State aid
Aid to to Kyungshin Cable Europe cleared
The Serbian State aid watchdog has cleared aid to Kyungshin Cable Europe, concerning an investment project in Serbia worth around EUR 20 million. The company will get land worth approx. EUR 250,000 free of charge as state support.
Montenegro
Merger control
Four new merger decisions
During the previous month, the Montenegrin NCA rendered four new merger decisions. All were unconditional Phase I clearances.
State aid
Aid to businesses in light of COVID-19 cleared
The Montenegrin competition authority, which also has State aid competences, has cleared a government scheme aimed at mitigating the negative consequences of the COVID-19 outbreak. The cleared scheme is worth close to EUR 70 million.
Bosnia and Herzegovina
Antitrust
Federal Health Ministry found to have infringed competition
The Bosnian NCA, the Competition Council, has issued a decision finding that the Health Ministry of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina violated the country's antitrust laws by issuing a bylaw which had prevented private operators for performing certain health services. Apart from finding an infringement, the NCA also fined the Ministry in the amount of BAM 25,000 (approx. EUR 12,500).
North Macedonia
State of emergency extended
During May, the North Macedonian government extended the state of emergency due to COVID-19 on two occasions. Currently, the state of emergency is about the expire on June 13.
Merger control
Two new merger notifications
During May, the North Macedonian NCA announced the receipt of two new merger notifications:
- Messer Group Gmbh (Germany) - Air Liquide CZ (Czech Republic), Air Liquide Slovakia (Slovakia);
- Nova Ljubljanska Banka dd (Slovenia) - Komercijalna Banka ad (Serbia).
General
One thousand merger decisions in Serbia: The numbers you need to know
In 2016, the Serbian NCA reached an important milestone - the first one thousand merger decisions. What were the main characteristics of those 1,000 decisions?
Originally sent by e-mail. Original issue (mailchi.mp) · gajin.rs