Artak Shaboyan did not convince Khachatur Kokobelyan (video)
The National Assembly is discussing today the 2015 program of the State Commission for Protection of Economic Competition (SCPEC). Addressing SCPEC Chairman Artak Shaboyan, Armenian lawmaker Khachatur Kokobelyan said the agency Shaboyan heads is responsible for ensuring competition and detecting anti- competitive agreements and deals. “Have you ever been able to identify such a deal and, if so, what methods did you apply? For example, everyone knows that the Electric Networks of Armenia CJSC enjoys monopoly in the sector and we see its deplorable condition. Have you ever studied the railroad transport industry?” said Khachatur Kokobelyan. In reply, Mr Shaboyan said they had detected numerous cases of anti-competitive agreements, particularly in the social sector. “In the result of such agreements, economic entities participated in government tenders announced for orphanages and nursing homes, and won them. We have subjected them to strict liability and taken them to court,” he said. At least 100 cases have been identified in medical institutions. “Companies make anti-competitive agreements. Now we are studying the construction industry and we shall present the results as soon as they are ready. There is monopoly in the railway sector and the Electric Networks of Armenia CJSC enjoys a government-granted monopoly and the sphere is regulated by the Public Services Regulatory Commission. Last year a group of citizens complained of the CJSC saying the latter abused its monopolistic position and showed a discriminatory treatment to them, violating the rights of consumers. We imposed a fine on them in the amount of 20 mln drams,” said Artak Shaboyan. Displeased with the answer, Mr Kobobelyan announced that the SCPEC Chairman did not provide convincing arguments to prove that the SCPEC works efficiently.
