FAS: INTERNATIONAL COOPERATION OF COMPETITION AUTHORITIES ALLOWS MAKING SOLID REGULATORY DECISIONS

Head of FAS Russia discussed this during the VII International Conference "Antimonopoly Policy: Science, Practice, Education" in Skolkovo

Maxim Shaskolsky noted that the conference is being held with the active participation of the competition authorities of the BRICS countries, which are jointly developing new approaches to antimonopoly regulation. Such cooperation allows to thoroughly analyze global transactions of economic concentration and timely response to the threat of transnational cartels.

In his report, Head of FAS Russia spoke about the measures taken by the Government of the Russian Federation in 2022 to support the economy. Among the key ones is the development of parallel import. This mechanism ensures the saturation of the market with the necessary goods, creates incentives for the development of small and medium-sized businesses and the creation of new jobs, meanwhile not changing the procedures for controlling the authenticity, quality and safety of products.

At the moment, the list of goods subject to parallel import includes more than 50 categories. However, FAS Russia advocates the extension of this mechanism to all goods except those, production of which is localized in Russia. According to the authority, it will contribute to lower prices for goods for end consumers by increasing supply and competition between importers.

FAS Russia is also working to improve tariff regulation. Since 2021, a mechanism of long-term indices has been launched in the housing and utilities sector, which provides for stimulating investments through guarantees of their return. The mechanism has already been implemented in three regions, whereby more than 21.4 billion rubles were attracted to the sphere of municipal infrastructure in 2022-2024.

As a support measure for resource-supplying enterprises, tariff consequences for non-fulfillment of investment programs will not be applied until 2023. It will allow companies to redistribute funds from investment programs for repairs and other measures aimed at uninterrupted provision of consumers with high-quality utilities.

Besides, FAS Russia is taking measures to digitalize the entire process of tariff regulation – from filing a tariff application to making a tariff decision. This approach has already been implemented in the field of water supply and sanitation, and will extend to the field of heat supply.

Maxim Shaskolsky separately noted the importance of regulating digital markets. Against the background of the intensive development of e-commerce, the market power of digital monopolies is increasing, so protecting consumers from abuse by "digital giants" is one of the priorities of FAS. For this purpose, the authority has developed the "fifth antimonopoly package", which is being prepared for consideration in the State Duma of the Russian Federation.

At the end of his speech, Head of FAS Russia noted the importance of the development of specialized education. More than 30 departments and centers in the field of antimonopoly policy and competition law have already been created in Russian universities, and in many educational institutions these disciplines are compulsory. According to Maxim Shaskolsky, it contributes not only to the development of competition law as a scientific discipline, but also to practical activities to improve antimonopoly legislation.