President of the Commission for Protection of Competition Dr. Miloje Obradović, met today with Ambassador and Head of Delegation of the European Union to the Republic of Serbia H.E. Sem Fabrizi.

The main discussion topics related to activities implemented by the Commission for Protection of Competition aimed at advancing business environment in the Republic of Serbia, particularly those in relation to the accession of Serbia to the European Union, within Chapter 8: Competition Policy.

Dr. Obradović introduced Ambassador Fabrizi to the Commission’s activities to date and plans, particularly those concerning the alignment of competition policy legislative framework with the EU acquis.

It is underlined that competition policy in Serbia, and especially the work of the Commission for Protection of Competition, so far have positive assessed by the Brussels administration. In that context, President Obradović presented expectations that in this year’s EC Progress Report, the Commission for Protection of Competition will be again recognized as one of the parts of the Serbian administration whose operational activities are highly aligned with the EU acquis.

The Commission President also informed the interlocutor on project activities concerning the formation of the Western Balkans Forum of Competition Authorities, headquartered in Belgrade, as a jointly launched initiative by the Commission and EBRD. The parties also touched upon initial activities in relation to a Twinning project aimed at advancing the competition policy in Serbia, with the Italian Competition Authority selected as a partner institution. During the talks, particular emphasis is placed on a project segment with regard to training of judges of the Administrative Court, which should contribute to their advanced understanding of competition law and related implementation.

During the talks with President Obradović, Ambassador Fabrizi supported efforts of the Commission placed on securing a level playing field for all undertakings and underlined the importance of both further education on the competition policy on the market of the Republic of Serbia and continuous improvement of the Commission’s work.

The Commission for Protection of Competition conducted a competition conditions inquiry into the tire market on the territory of the Republic of Serbia in the period 2014-2016.

The research is conducted with a view to achieve more qualitative and comprehensive approach in the work on sector-related cases. In that respect, the inquiry’s main objective related to the establishment of market structure, market coverage, relations between competitors and their respective market shares.

This inquiry is prepared in accordance with the provision of Article 21(1/6) of the Law on Protection of Competition, stipulating the Commission’s competence to monitor and analyze conditions of competition on individual markets and in individual sectors.

For the purposes of this inquiry, the following relevant markets are defined and individually analyzed:

• motor vehicle tire market,
• bus and truck tire market,
• motorcycle and bicycle tire market,
• agricultural vehicles and machinery tire market,
• construction and industrial vehicles and machinery tire market.

The Commission also analyzed the production and import as segments of supply, in addition to the export and sales on the domestic market as segments of demand for the tires concerned.

The main sources of data and information for the preparation of this inquiry are data provided by the Customs Administration of the Ministry of Finance, data submitted by undertakings, as well as publicly available data, including Internet-based data and current regulations. The Commission forwarded requests for the submission of information to tire manufacturers in Serbia, namely: Tire manufacturing company Tigar tyers doo Pirot, companies Trayal korporacija ad Kruševac and Cooper tire & rubber company Serbia doo Kruševac, in addition to the largest tire dealers and sellers.