At the sitting held on 9 June, the members of the Committee on Trade and Tourism considered in principle the Bill on Protection of Competition, submitted by the Government of the Republic of Serbia.

The Minister of Trade and Services Slobodan Milosavljevic presented the Bill stressing that this law sets the groundwork of any economy and that the economy’s efficiency and competitiveness, as well as consumer protection, depend on it. The adoption of the law aims at protecting competition and market freedom, as well as public interest, with a focus on healthy market rivalry. The Bill is a result of a comprehensive public debate and is harmonised with European Union standards. The Bill grants the Commission for the Protection of Competition broader authority and greater independence of action, making it more operational. Also, the Bill eliminates the flaws of the current law, establishes new mechanisms and guarantees that all who violate market freedom shall be adequately sanctioned. The Minister announced that all the necessary by-laws shall be passed within four months from the adoption of the law.

Following a short discussion, the Committee members accepted the Bill on Protection of Competition, in principle, by a majority of votes, with the reserved opinions of deputies Lidija Dimitrijevic and Zoran Ostojic.

The sitting was chaired by the Committee Chairman, Milan Djokic.