Seven oil companies to collectively pay fine of 2 million lei

The National Agency for Competition Protection imposed a fine of 2 million lei on seven oil companies that coordinate the modification of prices between them. They were accused of administrative cartel agreements and anti-competition acts. The consumer watchdog also recommended the National Agency for Energy Regulation (ANRE) to annul the provision that the oil companies must notify the regulator of the intention to increase or reduce prices three days beforehand, Info-Prim Neo reports. “The move is aimed at liberalizing this market and making the oil companies to observe the competition rules,” the head of the National Agency for Competition Protection Viorica Carare said in a news conference on February 17. If the ANRE modifies the normative base, the oil companies will have a free and independent behavior, but if they continue to coordinate their actions, the penalties will be much harsher, said Viorica Carare. Each of the seven companies penalized will pay a part of the fine. The head of the consumer watchdog did not specify how much, but said the amount depends on the companies' turnover. The given companies are: Lukoil Moldova, Petrom Moldova, Bemol Retail, Rompetrol Moldova, Tirex Petrol, Parstar-Petrol, and Valiexchimp. The fine will be transferred to the state budget.