Competition Law at Kazakhstan
Sure! Here’s an overview of Competition Law in Kazakhstan:
Competition Law in Kazakhstan: Overview
Kazakhstan has a well-developed competition law framework aimed at promoting fair competition, preventing monopolistic practices, and protecting consumers and businesses.
Key Features of Competition Law in Kazakhstan
Legal Framework:
The primary legal basis is the Law on Competition (Law No. 281 dated July 4, 2009), which regulates anti-competitive conduct, abuse of dominance, mergers, and unfair competition.
Regulatory Authority:
Enforcement is handled by the Agency for Protection and Development of Competition (APDC), which is the national competition authority responsible for monitoring markets, investigating violations, and imposing sanctions.
Scope of the Law:
The law covers:
Anticompetitive agreements: Cartels, price-fixing, market division, and bid rigging are prohibited.
Abuse of dominant position: Firms holding a dominant market share cannot engage in practices that unfairly limit competition.
Merger control: Certain mergers and acquisitions must be notified to the APDC for approval if they exceed thresholds based on turnover or market share.
Unfair competition: Acts such as misleading advertising and unfair business practices are prohibited.
Enforcement Powers:
The APDC can conduct investigations, request documents and information, conduct raids, and impose administrative fines or other penalties on violators.
Recent Developments:
Kazakhstan continues to strengthen its competition policy in line with international standards. The APDC cooperates with international organizations such as the OECD and the Eurasian Economic Union on competition matters.
Summary Table
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Key Law | Law on Competition (2009) |
| Regulatory Body | Agency for Protection and Development of Competition (APDC) |
| Main Prohibitions | Cartels, abuse of dominance, merger control, unfair competition |
| Enforcement | Investigations, fines, orders to cease violations |
Additional Notes
Kazakhstan is a member of the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU), which also has a supranational competition policy framework affecting member states.
The APDC cooperates regionally and internationally to combat cross-border anti-competitive conduct.
The law supports promoting competition as part of Kazakhstan’s broader economic modernization strategy.
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