FAS EXPANDS COOPERATION WITH COMPETITION AUTHORITIES OF AFRICAN COUNTRIES

Within the framework of the Second Summit, the Russia-Africa Economic and Humanitarian Forum in St. Petersburg, negotiations were held between the Head of FAS Russia Maxim Shaskolsky and representatives of the competition authorities of South Africa, Egypt, Tunisia and The Gambia

The Head of the Russian authority Maxim Shaskolsky and the Deputy Head of the Competition Commission of South Africa Hardin Ratshisusu discussed the issues of current antimonopoly response measures and the state of interaction between the antimonopoly regulators of Russia and South Africa both on a bilateral basis and in the BRICS format.

The parties noted that the antimonopoly regulators of Russia and South Africa have been cooperating for more than 10 years, and during this period the relations have reached the level of strategic partnership.

An important area of cooperation between the countries is cooperation in law enforcement, for example, consultations when considering cases of violation of antimonopoly legislation by large transnational companies and global transactions of economic concentration that affect the state of competition in Russia and South Africa. It was with the competition authority of South Africa that FAS Russia conducted the largest number of such consultations, including Bayer/Monsanto in the agro-industrial sector, Siemens/Alstom in the train construction market, Metso Outotec in the fertilizer production market, AON/Willis Tower Watson in the brokerage and insurance services market.

The Head of FAS noted that when evaluating transactions, the authorities use the BRICS Model Recommendations on the application of a waiver of confidentiality (waiver). This allows to fully discuss the nature of the transaction, approaches to its evaluation and exchange the necessary information.

Also, within the framework of cooperation, the instruments of international cooperation are used, which are fixed in the documents of international organizations, including in the Guidelines and Procedures in accordance with Section F of the UN Set on Competition. The Principles were developed at the initiative of FAS Russia together with a number of competition authorities, in particular, with the Competition Commission of South Africa.

The forum also hosted a meeting between the Head of FAS Russia and the Head of the Egyptian Competition Authority, Mahmoud Momtaz. The parties discussed topical issues of antimonopoly regulation in both countries and prospects for Russian-Egyptian cooperation in the field of competition protection.

It was proposed to organize a round table for representatives of the Egyptian business community who carry out their activities in Russia. Such an event will help to raise awareness of business representatives about current trends in Russian legislation, explain the specifics of antimonopoly control, control of public procurement, foreign investment, combating unfair competition and regulation of advertising activities.

In addition, a draft Memorandum of Understanding in the field of competition policy between FAS Russia and the Egyptian Competition Authority is at the final stage of approval, which is planned to be signed in the near future.

Maxim Shaskolsky also held a meeting with the Acting Head of the Tunisian Competition Council, Mohamed Mnasser, in order to exchange information on competition law enforcement in both countries. During the negotiations, the parties stressed their interest in developing relevant bilateral ties.

The heads of regulators also discussed the possibility of organizing an internship for Tunisian specialists at the Russian authority and at the FAS Russia Center for Education and Methodics in Kazan.

The trends of antimonopoly regulation in Russia and The Gambia were discussed during negotiations with the Head of the Gambian Competition and Consumer Protection Commission Amadou Ceesay.

During the meeting, the parties confirmed the need to effectively use the potential of mutually beneficial cooperation.

Amadou Ceesay also noted the extensive experience of FAS Russia in the field of competition policy. Taking into account the similar powers of the authorities, as well as priority socially significant markets in Russia and The Gambia, an agreement was reached on further exchange of experience and practices. Thus, the Russian authority will send to the Gambian colleagues a review of pricing in the market of medicines, in particular, VED, conducted jointly with colleagues in the CIS, as well as a review of tariff regulation practices.

In addition, representatives of competition authorities discussed future joint events, in particular the Conference of the African Competition Forum, where FAS Russia will participate. The event will take place on October 31-November 1
in Banjul (The Gambia).

At the end of the meeting, the parties agreed to continue cooperation and formalize it by concluding an appropriate memorandum.

In addition, issues of interaction within the framework of the EAEU+, BRICS+, as well as on the UNCTAD platform, in particular within the framework of the UNCTAD Working Group on Cross-Border Cartels, were discussed with representatives of all countries. To date, more than 50 competition authorities have joined the work of the Working Group, including the antimonopoly regulators of South Africa, Egypt, and The Gambia. These bodies also support the initiative of FAS Russia to create global UN standards on international cooperation in the investigation of cross-border cartels at the UNCTAD site. The Tunisian Competition Authority, in turn, was invited to join the activities of the Working Group.

Also, on October 11-13, Delhi (India) will host the largest competition policy event in the BRICS space – the 8th BRICS Competition Conference, organized by the Competition Commission of India with the support of the competition authorities of all the countries of the association. Foreign colleagues were invited to participate in the discussions at the Conference. In 2023, the South African Competition Commission chairs the BRICS bodies.

At the end of the meetings with each side, priority areas for further joint work were identified. The Head of the Federal Antimonopoly Service of the Russian Federation, during bilateral negotiations with representatives of antimonopoly regulators of African countries, reached an agreement on expanding cooperation in the implementation of competition enforcement, exchanging experience and practices, as well as supporting each other’s initiatives on international platforms.

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The Russia–Africa Summit is a key and the largest event in Russian-African relations. Its implementation is aimed at achieving a qualitatively new level of our mutually beneficial partnership that meets the challenges of the XXI century. The purpose of the event is to promote the strengthening of comprehensive and equal cooperation between Russia and African countries in all its dimensions: politics, security, economy, scientific, technical, cultural and humanitarian spheres.

The first Russia–Africa Summit was held on October 23-24, 2019 in Sochi under the motto "For Peace, Security and Development".