Romania's Competition Council (CC) applied last year fines totaling EUR 40 million, almost double over the previous year.

"The biggest penalty went to retail chains. There was another big fine against advertising agencies. And a high fine worth EUR 3 million, against companies that have agreed to rig tenders at Romgax", said Bogdan Chiritoiu, the Competition Council President, cited by local Agerpres.

The Council's biggest investigation last year concerned price fixing between some retailers and their suppliers. It involved several large retailers active on the local market, namely Auchan Romania, Carrefour Romania, Romania Hypermarche (Cora), Kaufland Romania and Trident Trans Tex, as well as their suppliers.

editor@romania-insider.com