Criminal cases against 4 firms for price manipulation of breast-milk substitutes

Saudi Gazette Report

RIYADH — The council of the General Authority for Competition decided to carry out an investigation into the charges of price manipulation against four establishments in the breast-milk substitute products sector. These firms allegedly agreed to fix prices in violation of the provisions of the Saudi Competition Law and its executive regulations.

The council also took the necessary legal measures against six establishments and instructed them to correct their violations and adhere to the Competition Law and its executive regulations. It approved to examine requests of two firms for settlement of the cases against them.

The council reviewed the results of the study and investigation into the charges against two establishments in the communications and information technology sector, and it decided to dismiss the case due to the lack of any substantial evidence to show that they violated the Competition Law and its executive regulations.

The authority agreed to investigate charges against 4 establishments operating in the communications and information technology sector, with regard to violation of the articles of the Competition Law and its executive regulations.

The authority also agreed to investigate charges against 3 establishments operating in the contracting sector for violation of articles of the Competition Law and its executive regulations. The Council agreed to investigate the charges of violations of Competition Law against some firms operating in the sector of serving Hajj and Umrah pilgrims.

The council reviewed the memorandums containing the measures against 9 establishments operating in the water desalination and distribution sector, and decided to agree to end the measures against them.

The council reviewed the work of the Settlement Committee, based on the receipt of 27 settlement requests from establishments violating the Competition Law and its executive regulations, including 10 settlement requests submitted by establishments operating in the automotive sector. In this context, the council decided to authorize the authority’s CEO to accept settlement requests, as well as to file criminal cases before the Committee adjudicating violations of the Competition Law against those establishments submitting settlement requests in the event that an amicable agreement is not reached.