Q:
A:
State must prevent creation of monopolies
Belgrade,
8 December 2008
Deputy Prime Minister for EU Integration Bozidar Djelic stated today that the anti-monopoly fight is very important for the implementation of the Transitional Trade Agreement with the EU, noting that the state must prevent the creation of monopolies.
Author:
Fonet
At a central public debate on the draft law protecting competition, Djelic explained that monopoly does not necessarily mean one who holds over 40% of the market, but one dictating prices and operating conditions.
He recalled that fines for monopoly behaviour in the EU are very high, giving the example of Austria in the banking and insurance sectors.
Serbia wishes to attract a number of strong foreign companies that will provide leadership in the region, he said.
Minister of Minister of Trade and Services Slobodan Milosavljevic said that the new law will provide greater authority to the Commision for the Protection of Competition.
Milosavljevic noted that all stakeholders will get greater legal security.
The commission will therefore be able to give its attention to the most important cases, secondary matters being handed over to high commercial courts.
Milosavljevic voiced hope that the government will adopt the draft law early next year and then forward it to parliament.
He pointed out that the existing law from 2005 has mostly been harmonised with European legislation but there are still certain loopholes which decrease the commission’s efficiency and prevent it from passing penalties for abuses of office.
President of the Commission Dijana Markovic-Bajalovic said that the new law will enable the commission to speed up its work and clearly define monopoly.
She explained that it is necessary to determine a relevant market, which implies cooperation between state bodies.
According to her the commission procedure should contain certain legal powers, which will enable access to a company’s premises and the collection of relevant data.
He recalled that fines for monopoly behaviour in the EU are very high, giving the example of Austria in the banking and insurance sectors.
Serbia wishes to attract a number of strong foreign companies that will provide leadership in the region, he said.
Minister of Minister of Trade and Services Slobodan Milosavljevic said that the new law will provide greater authority to the Commision for the Protection of Competition.
Milosavljevic noted that all stakeholders will get greater legal security.
The commission will therefore be able to give its attention to the most important cases, secondary matters being handed over to high commercial courts.
Milosavljevic voiced hope that the government will adopt the draft law early next year and then forward it to parliament.
He pointed out that the existing law from 2005 has mostly been harmonised with European legislation but there are still certain loopholes which decrease the commission’s efficiency and prevent it from passing penalties for abuses of office.
President of the Commission Dijana Markovic-Bajalovic said that the new law will enable the commission to speed up its work and clearly define monopoly.
She explained that it is necessary to determine a relevant market, which implies cooperation between state bodies.
According to her the commission procedure should contain certain legal powers, which will enable access to a company’s premises and the collection of relevant data.
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