Competition, Protectionism and MonopoliesFriday, December 4, 2020 After Grupo Lala decided to close the operations of its dairy production plant in Costa Rica, a debate began over whether Dos Pinos' dominance in the local market was due to protectionist policies or to the brand positioning, quality and price of its products. Although at the beginning of 2019 Lala announced that it had invested $14 million in the purchase of high technology machinery and in the expansion of its dairy plant in San Ramón, province of Alajuela, on December 1, 2020 it informed that they decided to close operations. Incentives to Improve CompetitionWednesday, September 18, 2019 In Costa Rica, a bill is in progress that contemplates eliminating fines for the first member of a cartel that recognizes and denounces to the authorities that has engaged in monopolistic practices. As part of the bills for Costa Rica's entry into the OECD, deputies voted in second debate file No. 21.303, Law strengthening the competition authorities of Costa Rica, reported last August 29 the Legislative Assembly. Millionaire Fine to Pharmacy ChainTuesday, February 26, 2019 Seven years after Cofasa filed a monopoly complaint against Fischel, in Costa Rica the Commission for the Promotion of Competition decided to impose a fine of almost $19 million on the pharmacy chain. Representatives of the Commission for the Promotion of Competition (Coprocom), informed that the fine imposed on Fischel is provisional, since the resolution is in the appeals phase, so it is not final and cannot be released figures or other aspects of the ruling. Guatemala: Competition Law Goes AheadTuesday, March 20, 2018 After making more than 40 amendments to the previous project, the legislative commission will be presenting a proposal and expects the process to move forward without further modifications. The Economy Commission of the Congress of the Republic reported that they presented a second opinion on the Competition Law initiative, and took the opportunity to explain that among the parties that participated in the work room, they agreed that the topic will be addressed in a single reading and no last minute amendments will be presented. Costa Rica: Telephony and Mobile Internet Rates Freed UpFriday, September 22, 2017 With the declaration of effective competition in the mobile telecommunications market it is expected a reduction in prices and an increase in the commercial supply offered by operators. Mobile telephony and mobile internet services are now free from tariff regulation by the Superintendence of Telecommunications (Sutel). The entity declared effective competition in this segment of the telecommunications market on September 18. Costa Rica Frees Telecommunications PricesTuesday, December 6, 2016 The Council of the SUTEL has declared to be under effective competition the following markets: International Telephony, Fixed Internet, International Roaming and Telecommunications Transit. The Superintendency of Telecommunications postponed until the first quarter of 2017 the decision on a possible declaration of effective competition in mobile postpaid services. El Salvador: Ruling in favor of Free CompetitionWednesday, November 16, 2016 The Supreme Court has ruled in favor of the Superintendency of Competition in the case brought against them by Telefónica, claiming the alleged illegality of a resolution which sanctioned an agreement between competitors in December 2011. From a statement issued by the Superintendency of Competition in El Salvador: Guatemala: "Repentant" Parties in the Competition ActMonday, September 19, 2016 A program of "clemency" for companies that cooperate with information on anticompetitive practices in the sector is part of what is being proposed for the bill that will be analyzed in Congress. The bill presented by the Ministry of Economy in May 2015 is being discussed in Congress, where they are working on a draft with changes to the text. The proposed leniency regime "... could include economic agents that take part in or have become involved in anticompetitive practices and who intend to cooperate with the investigations." Fine for Unauthorized MergerTuesday, August 23, 2016 In El Salvador, Ingenio El Angel was fined $950,000 for not having requested authorization to acquire control of Ingenio La Magdalena. From a statement issued by the Superintendency of Competition: Anticompetitive Flour Practices DenouncedThursday, June 30, 2016 Agroindustrias Gumarsal has denounced to the Superintendency of Competition in El Salvador alleged anticompetitive practices in the flour sector. From a statement issued by the Superintendency of Competition: Electronic Invoicing: $27 million or $8.5 million?Tuesday, June 28, 2016 There is a striking difference between the offers received by the Ministry of Finance in Costa Rica, in a competition which was held exclusively between state entities in order to avoid mandatory controls on public procurements. EDITORIAL Guatemala: Draft Law on CompetitionThursday, May 12, 2016 The bill presented to Congress creates the Superintendency of Competition which will be able to investigate business practices in order to punish them if they are anti-competitive. From a statement issued by the Ministry of Economy: Guatemala: Customs Union with Honduras ApprovedFriday, January 22, 2016 The decree approved by the Guatemalan Congress was the missing step needed to implement the free movement of people and goods between the two Central American countries. From a statement issued by the Ministry of Trade: El Salvador: Competition in the Retail SectorTuesday, December 8, 2015 A study has been carried out detailing the conditions of competition in the retail sector, specifically in the categories of basic foodstuffs, groceries, dairy products, vegetables, meat, toiletries and household cleaning and personal care and hygiene products. From a statement issued by the Superintendency of Competition in El Salvador: El Salvador: Unfair TradeTuesday, October 6, 2015 A draft Law on Trade Defence establishes mechanisms to protect and defend the industry against unfair trade practices. The bill, prepared jointly by the private sector and the government, will be presented on Tuesday, Oct. 13 at the Legislative Assembly. The aim of the law is to regulate actions such as massive imports in some sectors that could result in unfair practices. |
|