IGOR ARTEMIEV: THERE IS A SERIOUS DANGER TO LOSE COMPETITION PURSUING NATIONAL PROJECTS

Implementing pro-competitive policy in National projects becomes the main goal for FAS

Head of the Federal Antimonopoly Service Igor Artemiev outlined achievements and new goal of FAS at an extended session of the competition authority on 24 April in Crimea.

He said that the legislative foundation for competition protection has been built up in Russia since 1990 and FAS has been pursuing procompetitive policy for 15 years. During this period, antimonopoly norms were introduced in the sectoral law, four packages of amendments were adopted, and judicial practice is established. It is recognized that Russian national law conforms to the best world practices and for already several years in a row FAS is among the top 2 - antimonopoly bodies in the world.

Such results are achieved through the synergy of FAS powers: regulating antimonopoly and tariff laws, the norms on public defence order and public procurement.

“We have become big and strong not only as law enforcers but also as legislators”, pointed out Igor Artemiev.

“We create the basis of competition — by building a working regulatory system, FAS went beyond its protective function, moving to systemic macroeconomic measures”, stated Head of FAS. “In 2018 competition development became a national goal in Russia — the Presidential Order is adopted, which approved 2018-2020 National Plan for Developing Competition in Russia. Also the Road Map for competition development was adopted and the State Council took place, following which Heads of regions were given specifics instructions to develop competition”.

In his opinion, the performance is quite poor: 43% of the measures planned for 2018 are executed; and the measures, where FAS was an authorized executor, are fulfilled by 80%.

Discussing new major goals of FAS, Igor Artemiev highlighted the need to pursue pro-competitive policy in the national projects, set and approved by the President of Russia on 7 May 2018.

He emphasized: “The National Projects and related plans and programmes do not contain the word “competition”. There is a serious danger in such expensive but necessary projects for Russia. All National projects must be fulfilled due to the baseline Order of the President on the National Competition Development Plan.  There are a follow-up decision and instructions”.

Head of FAS added that regional bodies of the Antimonopoly Service must gain insight in the National projects in the regions and the necessary competitive procedures that should be implemented in the regions.

Head of FAS also underlined that FAS has established special control over procurement in the National Projects.

The main goal of the National projects is to improve the quality of life of the population, while competition is the basic tool to achieve the goal”, concluded Head of FAS at the end of his speech.