Andrey Tsarikovskiy had a working visit to the Stavropol region

Deputy Head of FAS had a meeting with the Governor of the Stavropol region, took part in a regional workshop of the antimonopoly bodies from North Caucasus and Southern Federal Districts, and visited several industrial enterprises in the Stavropol area

Stats-Secretary, Deputy Head of FAS Andrey Tsarikovskiy and the Governor of the Stavropol regionVladimir Vladimirov discussed the state of competition in the region.

“Economic growth in the region means that we inevitably face the issues that falls under the competence of the antimonopoly authority”, emphasized Vladimir Vladimirov.

The parties outlined in detail antimonopoly regulation in the pharmaceutical sector, control over retail chains, tariff-setting in the region and public procurement, including the issue of the so-called “professional complainants”.

Talking about public procurement, Andrey Tsarikovskiy confirmed existence of “public procurement raiders” that extorts money from bona fide procurement participants in exchange for not hampering contracts. He reminder that the State Duma has been considering amendments to the law on contractual system able, in particular, to sort out the situation, for already several years.

He also emphasized the importance of leveling tariffs in the Stavropol region.

The workshop of FAS regional bodies put a focus on the need to adjust the Laws on contractual system and on public procurement by particular types of legal entities. Andrey Tsarikovskiy, who gave the welcoming remarks to the attendants, agreed that the issue is pressing and expressed hope for prompt adoption of the amendments package for both laws.

During the two-day workshop, representatives of FAS regional bodies, the Central Office, the Regional Government and authorities considered the up-dated judicial practice, including cartel exposure, granting subsidies as well as support measures to small and modicum business  in the Stavropol region.

Ivan Atanov, Pro-Rector of Stavropol State Agrarian University – the site of the workshop - demonstrated Deputy Head of FAS some Faculties. The parties discussed possible cooperation between the University and the antimonopoly body in the field of education.

Then Andrey Tsarikovskiy together with the Ministry for Energy, Industry and Communications of the Stavropol region, Vitaly Khotsenko, toured “Energomera” Concern” OJSC and “Avropritsep-KAMAZ” OJSC. Representatives of regional industries also raised the issue of tariffs in the region.

Deputy Head of FAS visited Stavropol OFAS and had a press-conference. Local journalists were especially interested in the changes to the advertising law, concerns in public procurement and the specifics of the North Caucasus Federal District in terms of antimonopoly enforcement.