The Board of Directors of the General Authority for Competition (GAC) has given the green light to file charges against 79 establishments for violating the Competition Law and its executive regulations.
The board decided to initiate criminal cases against 64 establishments and study settlement requests by the remaining 15 entities.
Violations included agreeing to fix prices and dividing markets according to geographic regions, which led to reducing competition and affecting the interests of consumers.
On Wednesday, the GAC Board of Directors held its 85th meeting in Riyadh, during which it decided to initiate criminal proceedings against a number of establishments and study settlement requests for others in several sectors.
The board reviewed the results of a survey in the education and industry sectors, and agreed to implement the necessary measures against six establishments and ordering them to correct their conditions. It also approved settlement requests submitted by two establishments that provide cold and hot drinks and pastries, after reviewing the results of the study and investigation.
The board also examined the results of the study and investigation with 10 institutions operating in the field of contracting, and decided to dismiss the cases against them for lack of jurisdiction.
Moreover, the board reviewed the results of an inquiry pertaining to an establishment operating in the waste collection and transportation sector, and decided to close the case because it was not found to be in violation of the Competition Law and its executive regulations.
Similarly, results of a study concerning five companies operating in the retail sales and electronic devices sector, led to closing the case after it was not found to be in violation of the Competition Law and its executive regulations.
