ALEXANDER SHLYCHKOV: REGIONS CAN INDEPENDENTLY DETERMINE A WIDER RANGE OF MARKETS FOR COMPETITION DEVELOPMENT

Deputy Head of FAS Legal Department focused his report at a workshop of FAS regional bodies of the Far East Federal District in Yakutia on 26 July 2018 on Road Maps for developing competition in the regions and performance targets.

Alexander Shlychkov discussed in detail the main provisions of the National Competition Development Plan, approved by No. 618 Order of the President of Russia "On the main directions of the state policy towards developing competition" of 21.12.2017.

The Presidential Order specifies as the state policy goals: improving consumer satisfaction, increasing economic efficiency and competitiveness, sustainable growth and development of mixed economy.

Regarding the key indicators for competition development by 2020 Alexander Shlychkov said that in all sectors of the economy, except natural monopolies, there should beat least three economic entities, at least one of which should be private.   Another key indicator is reducing the number of antimonopoly violators by the authorities at least twofold in comparison with 2017. The National Competition Development Plan will also enable increasing the share of public procurement, where only small companies and socially oriented non-profit entities, at least twofold in comparison with 2017.

Deputy Head of FAS Legal Department reminded that by 1 January 2019 regional authorities must adjust the regulations on the public agencies, giving priority to the goals and objectives towards developing competition. And by 1 March 2019 measures should be undertaken to create and organize antimonopoly compliance in the authorities.

Unlike economic entities for whom in-house systems for evaluating the risks of antimonopoly violations are voluntary, it is mandatory for the authorities. This requirement is designed to curtail violations of the law by the authorities.

Alexander Shlychkov pointed out that regions commit to achieve the key targets, choosing at least 80% (33) out of 41 indicators.

“If the actual value of the indicator exceeds the minimum value then the indicator can be set higher to maintain dynamics”, said Alexander Shlychkov.

Regions can independently determine a wider rage of segments and markets for developing competition in the near future.