Conference “Antitrust Regulation in Russia” organized by “Vedomosti” magazine and Competition Experts Association, supported by FAS Russia, was held on October 26, 2018 in Lotte Hotel Moscow.
KIAP Antitrust practice partner Ilya Ischuk took part in the discussion devoted to “Antitrust regulation in retail” (Session 3.3.). Within the session he discussed the current tendencies on the retail market in Russia with FAS representatives, major retailers and vendors, in particular, the participants decided if the expectations and fears about the application of Trade Law were justified or not, which unresolved questions still market players have, on which stage is the self-regulation within the industry, as well as what are the application features of the law in relation to certain types of products (including dietary supplements). During the second part of the session experts discussed tendencies of retail market consolidation in Russia, FAS approaches to approval of M&A deals in retail, as well as in less close forms of integration such as purchasing alliance. The status of preparation and the main provisions of explanations on the functioning of purchasing alliances, which FAS Russia is preparing together with the Association, was also discussed within the session.
Under the spotlight were the main events, which took place in 2018 in the area of antitrust regulation and had a great influence on competition. Development perspectives of antitrust regulation in 2019. Issues of the Antimonopoly Agency activities to ensure the effective functioning of the product markets, prevention, restriction and suppression of monopolistic activity and unfair competition.
The conference was marked by participation of the head of FAS Russia Igor Artemyev, deputy head of FAS Russia Anatoly Golomolzin and representatives of the legislative, executive and judicial authorities, leading lawyers, economists and corporations’ delegates.