AMCHAM: "In current situation, the Competition Code can weaken the competition in the country"

The competition code which is planned submit to the third reading of Milli Majlis in spring session will not strengthen the competition in the country’s market, on the contrary, it can weaken it, this was reflected in the position of American Chamber of Commerce in Azerbaijan on Competition Code.

AMCHAM experts offer to improve the document. Because this project is against the leading practice in the world and will not support development of competition.

According to the document, in general, Azerbaijan’s interest in improvement of competition legislation is estimable: "Important improvement is not observed project variant of Competition Code compared to legislation acts. The project variant reminds the collected form of current legislation on competition in only a document. This project does not publicize the stimulation of market of law on competition and economic efficiency, increase the competition for accessing to the market and providence of transparency and other such intentions".

Thus, the project variant strengthens the position of Executive Power and it only keeps the current situation though simplifies the activity of government. In this case, it does not take the position of other participants, including private sector into consideration. That’s why the document does not strengthen the competition in Azerbaijan, on the contrary, it can weaken the competition.

According to AMCHAM experts, several points in the project can cause the other cases against free competition and inspections for private interests by the state bodies, potentially. The organization to be established for fulfillment of functions of both Agency on Competition Issues and Council of Control to Monopolism must be independent and separate.


/APA/