OREANDA-NEWS. From 1st November 2009, the prices for protected electronic cash register tape (EKLZ) were reduced by 500 Rubles, or nearly 10%. The Federal Antimonopoly Service (FAS Russia) received this information from "Bezant" Ltd., reported the press-centre of FAS Russia.

As pointed out by the Head of the FAS Russia's Department for Industry Control Alexei Ulyanov: "Although in our opinion this reduction is only the first step, even now it will enable to reduce the prices for cash register equipment for all business entities".

Also "Bezant" Ltd., as the only customer for electronic modules for EKLZ, informed FAS Russia that it is interested in minimizing the costs of EKLZ production and supports the idea of tenders among Russian producers for manufacturing of these modules.

"In our view, the main outcome of those tenders will be further reduction of prices for EKLZ, maximum possible localization of production of electronic modules for EKLZ in the Russian Federation which will result in utilizing capacity of the Russian electronic industry, increasing employment, salaries and tax returns in the industry", said Mr Ulyanov.

FAS Russia continues investigating the circumstances of increase of the cost of protected electronic cash register tape, mandatory for use in cash register equipment, by more than 60% in December 2008 - February 2009.

Earlier FAS Russia discovered an anticompetitive agreement on the market of microcontrollers, which form an integral element of EKLZ. On 15th October 2009, FAS Russia found that "Angstrem" OJSC and "Smartronics projects PTE LTD" violated Article 11 of the Federal Law "On Protection of Competition". "Angstrem" OJSC and "Smartronics projects PTE LTD" violated the law by entering into an agreement (contract) that had some provisions prohibiting sale of microcontrollers К5004VЕ1-017, "Angstrem" OJSC and "Smartronics projects PTE LTD", to other persons.

In course of the case investigation "Angstrem" OJSC and "Smartronics projects PTE LTD" signed an additional agreement to the contract, which removed certain provisions that had been the subject matter of the case, and eliminated the antimonopoly violation.

Therefore, FAS Russia discovered and eliminated one of the significant barriers to market entry of EKLZ developers and manufacturers as well as potential suppliers of electronic modules for EKLZ.