Saudi Arabia Studies Impact of Key Activities on Competition

A Saudi initiative to study key sectors, including agricultural production and measure the impact of competition, Asharq Al-Awsat
A Saudi initiative to study key sectors, including agricultural production and measure the impact of competition, Asharq Al-Awsat
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Saudi Arabia Studies Impact of Key Activities on Competition

A Saudi initiative to study key sectors, including agricultural production and measure the impact of competition, Asharq Al-Awsat
A Saudi initiative to study key sectors, including agricultural production and measure the impact of competition, Asharq Al-Awsat

The Saudi General Authority for Competition has approved an initiative to study the agricultural and fish products sector, as well as the building and construction sector. The study will investigate the impact of establishments operating in the mentioned sectors on competition.

The Authority’s board of directors agreed to take action to investigate, gather evidence, and investigate two facilities operating in the public construction sector that may have colluded in bids and offers in a government project.

It also decided to file a criminal case against the two facilities for violating the competition law and its executive regulations.

This came during the 75th meeting of the board, headed by Dr. Ahmed Al-Khulaifi, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the General Authority for Competition.

The meeting was held in the presence of the CEO and members of the board.

The Authority’s board of directors addressed several topics on its agenda, issued a number of decisions and directives, and approved entrusting the CEO with approving a number of the Authority’s policies, rules and manuals.

Moreover, the board reviewed the results of the study regulating the relationship between competition authorities and sectoral regulators, and the results of the investigation into collusion in a number of government projects with four establishments operating in the contracting and services sector.

In other news, the Federation of Saudi Chambers, represented by the National Entertainment Committee, signed a contract with a consulting firm to study and analyze the entertainment and leisure sector in Saudi Arabia.



Central Bank Chief: Morocco Preparing Law to Allow Cryptocurrencies

Representations of cryptocurrency Bitcoin are seen in this illustration taken November 25, 2024. REUTERS/Dado Ruvic/Illustration
Representations of cryptocurrency Bitcoin are seen in this illustration taken November 25, 2024. REUTERS/Dado Ruvic/Illustration
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Central Bank Chief: Morocco Preparing Law to Allow Cryptocurrencies

Representations of cryptocurrency Bitcoin are seen in this illustration taken November 25, 2024. REUTERS/Dado Ruvic/Illustration
Representations of cryptocurrency Bitcoin are seen in this illustration taken November 25, 2024. REUTERS/Dado Ruvic/Illustration

A draft law on cryptocurrencies is undergoing the process of adoption in Morocco, the governor of its central bank, Abdellatif Jouahri, said on Tuesday.

The central bank, known as Bank Al Maghrib, "has prepared a draft law regulating crypto assets, which is currently in the adoption process," Jouahri told an international conference in Rabat.

Bank Al Maghrib was also exploring a central bank digital currency (CBDC), Reuters quoted him as saying.
"Regarding central bank digital currencies, and like many countries around the world, we are exploring to what extent this new form of currency could contribute to achieving certain public policy objectives, particularly in terms of financial inclusion," he said.