“Last year we opened 20 new investigations and applied fines of EUR20 million. This year we’ll take the same route in terms of fine levels and we plan to open around 20 new cases and complete major investigations,” Chiritoiu said at the Mediafax talks about Competition conference.
Chiritoiu said the antitrust authority is currently working on several investigations regarding cartels and price-fixing deals between competitors and cases to be finalized this year target the media market, rigged auctions and food trade.
“When it comes to rigged auctions, collaboration with prosecutors is of paramount importance. We already have cases signaled by prosecution and I think there’s more to come (…) price-fixing deals are also widespread in our economy and we will punish this type of behavior,” Chiritoiu added.
On the other hand, Chiritoiu said the antitrust watchdog will also focus this year on issuing recommendations on various pieces of legislation under development, including bills on sanitation, healthcare, taxi services and a bill targeting capping bank fees.
He added the biggest challenge for the antitrust authority this year will be the energy market, particularly the natural gas market, where the government has started a speedy liberalization process.
“It’s important that this process unfolds in good conditions and this liberalization affects consumers as little as possible,” he said.