site.bta Anti-Trust Commission Finds Cartel on Fuel Market Involving All Major Players

Anti-Trust Commission Finds Cartel on Fuel Market Involving All Major Players

Sofia, October 10 (BTA) - The Commission for the Protection of Competition has found a cartel in the retail fuel market involving all major market players. Announcing their finding Monday, they said that LukOil Bulgaria EOOD, Eko Bulgaria EAD, Shell Bulgaria EAD, OMW Bulgaria OOD, Nis Petrol EOOD and Petrol AD have violated the national and the EU legislation by entering in an unlawful agreement to the detriment of market competition.

They allegedly exchanged pricing information and information about sale volumes, and pursued a coordinated pricing policy that aimed to prevent and hinder competition on the Bulgarian fuel retail market, the regulator said.

Its conclusions were based on checks at the offices of the major fuel distributors.

The cartel practices used by the said companies resulted in elimination of the natural mechanisms of the free market and impacted adversely the economic environment and interests of society, the regulator says in its decision.

The decision is unappealable.

The companies concerned have the right to view the materials in the case in the coming 30 days, to present written objections and ask to be heard by the regulator at an open sitting.