During November, the most interesting competition cases in the Balkans involved state aid, with interesting decisions in Serbia and Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Elsewhere, merger control work is continuing to keep Western Balkan competition authorities busy.
Serbia
Merger control
A new Phase II
In October, the Serbian NCA started a Phase II probe in the steel sector, of an acquisition by Ireland-based Kingspan Group. Now, the NCA has started an another Phase II of an acquisition by the same group, this time of Slovenian company Trimo, arhitekturne rešitve, d.o.o. More information about this Phase II merger investigation is pending.
State aid
Serbia grants EUR 41 million of aid to Toyo Tire
Serbia's state aid watchdog has cleared a subsidy Serbia has granted to tire manufacturer Toyo Tire, in the total amount of EUR 41 million. The subsidy is support for Toyo Tire's planned investment in Serbia in the amount of close to EUR 400 million. The investment is expected to employ more than 500 people.
Montenegro
Merger control
One new merger notification
During November, the Montenegrin NCA announced the receipt of one new merger notification:
- Moja Supernova doo (Serbia) – Vizija doo (Serbia)
Bosnia and Herzegovina
State aid
Subsidized prices of natural gas cleared
The Bosnian state aid watchdog has, in ex post proceedings, cleared aid which the Government of the Sarajevo Canton granted to users of natural gas. The aid consisted in subsidies which the Government granted to offset the rising price of natural gas in 2019. The recipients of the aid were users of natural gas from the categories large and medium enterprises. The total amount of cleared aid was approx. EUR 700,000. The state aid watchdog started the ex post investigation following a complaint received by the Energy Community in Vienna.
North Macedonia
Merger control
Six new merger notifications
During November, the North Macedonian NCA announced the receipt of six new merger notifications:
- Česka sporitelna a.s. (Czechia) – Waldviertler Sparkasse Bank AG (Czechia)
- SAZKA Group a.s. (Czechia), Ӧsterreichische Beteiligungs AG (Austria) - Casinos Austria AG (Austria)
- Care&Repair d.o.o. (Serbia) – System One d.o.o. (Serbia)
- Siemens Healthineers AG (Germany) - Varian Medical Systems Inc. (USA)
- United Media Sarl (Luxembourg) – City Magazine Roularta doo (Serbia)
- GENERALI CEE HOLDING B.V. (Netherlands) – Saneo S.A. (Poland)
General
Does acquisition of NPLs trigger a merger filing in Serbia?
Acquisition of portfolios of non-performing loans (NPLs) has been commonplace in Serbia for several years already. And an accompanying issue has been whether such acquisitions need to be filed to the Serbian competition authority for merger examination. Now, the competition authority has resolved that issue, by issuing an opinion on the matter.
Originally sent by e-mail. Original issue (mailchi.mp) · gajin.rs