As the highlight of the month, the Serbian NCA has started three antitrust investigations against companies active in the retail of consumer electronics.
Elsewhere, the Montenegrin competition authority is investigating alleged State aid awarded to Montenegro Airlines worth around EUR 150 million.
Serbia
Antitrust
NCA investigates why consumer electronics are cheaper in Hungary than in Serbia
The Serbian NCA has started two antitrust probes against retailers of consumer electronics. In the investigation, the NCA will try to establish how come that in Serbia the prices of consumer electronics are significantly higher than in neighboring Hungary.
Antitrust
NCA investigates distributor of Nespresso machines
The Serbian NCA is also investigating whether a Serbian distributor of Nespresso machines had engaged in unlawful resale price maintenance.
Merger control
Four new merger decisions
During the previous month, the Serbian NCA published four new merger decisions. All were unconditional Phase I clearances.
State aid
Investment scheme by the municipality of Raska cleared
The Serbian State aid watchdog has cleared an investment support scheme notified by the municipality of Raska. The scheme gives incentives to investors in the form of subsidies and construction land without a fee.
Montenegro
State aid
Competition authority investigates State aid to Montenegro Airlines
The Montenegrin competition authority, which also has State aid competences, is investigating whether the Montenegrin government has provided State aid to Montenegro Airlines. The government allegedly provided the aid by adopting a special law, by which the state was to assume certain obligations of the airline. The alleged assistance to the Montenegrin flag carrier amounts to around EUR 150 million.
Bosnia and Herzegovina
A quiet month in Bosnia and Herzegovina
It was a quiet September in Bosnia and Herzegovina - nothing interesting to report.
North Macedonia
Merger control
Seven new merger notifications
During September, the North Macedonian NCA announced the receipt of seven new merger notifications:
- Sun Valley doo (Serbia) - Victoria Oil doo (Serbia)
- Advent International Corporation (USA) - Hermes Parcelnet Limited (UK)
- Petrol d.d. (Slovenia) - Petrol-OTI-Terminal LLC (Kosovo)
- Kingspan Holding Netherlands BV (Netherlands) - Trimo doo (Slovenia)
- Aspire Global PLC (Malta) - BtoBet Limited (Gibraltar)
- United Media Sarl (Luxembourg) - Dan Graf doo (Serbia)
- Euroimpeks doo (North Macedonia) - Opel Automotiv S doo (Serbia)
General
Bosnia: Quasi-Private Antitrust Enforcement?
While in many jurisdictions the issue is how to facilitate private antitrust claims, Bosnia and Herzegovina already has a system which could be qualified as quasi-private antitrust enforcement: antitrust proceedings can in Bosnia be initiated not only ex officio by the competition authority (the Competition Council) but also upon request of an interested party.
Originally sent by e-mail. Original issue (mailchi.mp) · gajin.rs