MAXIM OVCHINNIKOV: DEVELOPING COMPETITION IN THE REGIONS IS THE BASIS OF NATIONAL WELL-BEING

Deputy Head of FAS Maxim Ovchinnikov and Acting Governor of the Novosibirsk region, Andrey Travnikov, discussed development of competition in the region

On 14 June 2018, Deputy Head of FAS Maxim Ovchinnikov and Acting Governor of the Novosibirsk region, Andrey Travnikov had a working meeting in Novosibirsk. Head of Novosibirsk OFAS Sergey Gavrilov and an assistance to Head of FAS, Igor Baranov also took part in the event.

The parties discussed the main measures to implement the instructions on developing competition, given by the State Council chaired by the President of the Russian Federation on 5 April 2018. They concern drafting systemic documents at the regional level and “resetting” the existing projects, including the Standard for developing competition in regions.

By 1 December, each region must develop or mainstream a regional “Road Map” on developing competition. It will comprise the basic indicators for advancing competition in the region, first of all, the measures designed to achieve the targets set in No.618 Presidential Order.

Novosibirsk became one of the first cities where the antimonopoly body held a meeting under FAS programme of visiting meetings in the regions across Russia on implementing the National Plan and instructions issued by the State Council.

Regional authorities and local self-government bodies face the task of introducing antimonopoly compliance: a system of regulatory acts preventing antimonopoly violations. According to the National Plan, the number of antimonopoly violations by the authorities should reduce no less than twofold by 2020.

“Joint work with regional authorities towards implementing the Presidential Order will bring competition policy to a new systemic level”, pointed out Deputy Head of FAS Maxim Ovchinnikov.

As a result of the Novosibirsk meeting, arrangements were reached on further joint actions, specifics dates are outlined for signing an Agreement on Cooperation between the Federal Antimonopoly Service and the Novosibirsk region as a subject of the Russian Federation, and approving the Action Plan (“Road Map”) for developing competition in the Novosibirsk region.