OREANDA-NEWS. July 10, 2009. The FAS Russia Office in the Nizhny Novgorod region (the Nizhny Novgorod OFAS Russia) established the fact of concerted actions by "Real-Invest" CJSC and "Rosgaz" Ltd. The companies fixed and maintained retail prices for liquefied hydrocarbon gas in Nizhny Novgorod. The companies were issued a determination on inadmissibility of the actions that can lead to restricting competition and violating the antimonopoly legislation, reported the press-centre of FAS Russia.

Actions of "Real-Invest" CJSC and "Rosgaz" Ltd. breached Part 1 Article 11 of the Federal Law "On Protection of Competition".

The Nizhny Novgorod OFAS Russia initiated the case after it had received several complaints from an entrepreneur and physical persons regarding dramatic increase of prices for motor fuel (from 11.5 to 13.5 Rubles per liter) at a petrol-and-gas service station in Nizhny Novgorod on 22-23 October 2008.

Investigating the case, the Nizhny Novgorod OFAS Russia discovered that the companies simultaneously increased and maintained prices on the retail market of liquefied hydrocarbon gas sold through petrol-and-gas service stations in Nizhny Novgorod.

"Rosgaz" Ltd. operated three petrol-and-gas service stations in Nizhny Novgorod. "Real-Invest" CJSC has dominant position on the retail market of motor fuel sold petrol-and-gas service stations in Nizhny Novgorod; the company is also involved in wholesale sales of liquefied hydrocarbon gas.

The Nizhny Novgorod OFAS Russia also investigated "Oka-Propan-U" Ltd. and "Oka-Propan-C" Ltd. upon identifying the signs of violating similar provisions of the Federal Law "On Protection of Competition" (engaging in concerted actions with "Real-Invest" CJSC and "Rosgaz" Ltd.) The proceedings against "Oka-Propan-U" Ltd. and "Oka-Propan-C" Ltd. were terminated due to absence of antimonopoly violations in the actions of the companies.