OREANDA-NEWS. October 26, 2010. “Freedom of competition and effective protection of entrepreneurship for the future of Russia”- this is the mission of FAS Russia approved by the Presidium of the Federal Antimonopoly Service”, said the Head of FAS Russia Igor Artemyev in his video-address to the II annual conference “Antimonopoly Regulation in Russia”, organized by the “Vedomosti” newspaper and “Promoting Competition” Non-Commercial Partnership with support of the Federal Antimonopoly Service, reported the press-centre of FAS Russia.

The Head of FAS Russia emphasized that antimonopoly bodies have become more active. It can be corroborated by growing number of cases initiated upon the signs of antimonopoly violations: by 1.3 times in the first six months of 2010 in comparison with the first six months of 2009 (to compare: 2695 cases in the first six months of 2008, 4175 cases in the first six months of 2009, 5437 cases in the first six months of 2010).

Igor Artemyev also pointed out the growing number of cases initiated upon the signs of competition-restricting agreements and concerted actions: 277 cases in the first six months of 2010 in comparison with 179 in the similar period of 2009 (growth - 1.5 times). The proportion of FAS Russia’s decisions revoked by the courts was only around 13.3% of the total decisions.

The Head of FAS Russia reminded that his year the Russian antimonopoly authority is given three stars by the Global Competition Review in its rating of law enforcement efficiency, which means “good”. “This is the rating given by international experts to the state of our antimonopoly law, judicial practice and cooperation of the regulator with business and community”, stated Igor Artemyev.

Among the near-term priorities, Igor Artemyev emphasized adopting the “third antimonopoly package” of laws; enhancing cartel enforcement; removing administrative barriers to business and introducing fast-track procedures for administrative disputes; decreasing the number of inspections; and promoting all forms of competition advocacy.