Business

The Ministry of Internal Affairs was advised not to violate anti-competitive legislation

The subject of consideration at the meeting of the Antimonopoly Committee of Ukraine was compliance with the legislation on protection of economic competition by the Main Service Center of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, which provided competitive advantages to the State Enterprise INFOTECH in preparation for the theoretical exam for obtaining the right to drive vehicles. This was reported by the Antimonopoly Committee, according to [Kommersant].

What were the advantages?

During the study of the situation, it was found that the official websites and social media pages of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Ukraine and the Main Service Center of the Ministry of Internal Affairs have links to an “online traffic simulator” – an online platform of the state enterprise INFOTECH. This platform helps to prepare for the theoretical exam for obtaining a driver’s license, in particular by purchasing advanced functionality for more efficient and convenient preparation for the traffic rules exam.

At the same time, there are other apps that future drivers can use to prepare for the theory exam, such as Vodiy.ua, Green Way, Online Driving School Chas, Snail Traffic Rules, etc.

Other market participants, arguing in their appeal, claimed that advertising of the online platform of SE INFOTECH on the websites of the authorities gives it an advantage, since, unlike its competitors, the company does not spend resources on the advertising campaign of its product. In addition, this gives consumers the false impression that other similar resources contain incorrect information or their services are of inadequate quality, and may serve as a barrier to entry for new business entities.

What the Antimonopoly Committee decided

In order to stop actions that contain signs of violation of the legislation on protection of economic competition, the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Ukraine was recommended to stop actions that consist of providing competitive advantages to SE INFOTECH.

The Ministry of Internal Affairs of Ukraine now has two months to consider these recommendations.

As reported by [Kommersant], the Antimonopoly Committee of Ukraine has issued personal recommendations to 10 participants in the chicken egg market to refrain from violating competition law. It also warned producers against a situation in which the increase in exports of chicken eggs would occur at the expense of a decrease in sales in the domestic market.

The Antimonopoly Committee emphasized that this could lead to the creation of conditions for an artificial shortage of eggs in the domestic market of Ukraine and higher prices for this product for end consumers, given the increase in demand due to the approach of Easter.

In view of such possible developments, the Antimonopoly Committee warns business entities engaged in the production of chicken eggs against raising prices and creating conditions for an artificial shortage.