Six companies operating on the retail market of petroleum products were fined 480 million lei for anti-competitive agreement. More specifically, they coordinated the marketing prices of gasoline, diesel fuel and liquefied petroleum gas between March 2019 and January 2021. Details in this regard were presented on Wednesday by the chairman of the Competition Council Alexei Gertsescu at a news conference, IPN reports.

The official said that the companies concerned denied the existence of a cartel agreement and a concerted practice. They invoked a so-called smart adaptation, but it is not clear how such a mechanism that led to the same behavior on the market and the same price change works. Following an inspection, it was found the violation of the provisions prohibiting anti-competitive agreements. “It goes to the prohibition of agreements aimed at directly or indirectly setting purchase or sale prices or any other trading conditions,” stated the Competition Council’s chairman.

The largest fine was imposed on Rompetrol Moldova SA – almost 192 million lei - and on Lukoil Moldova SRL – over 180 million lei. Petrom Moldova SRL was fined 78 million lei, while Bemol Retail SRL – over 29 million lei. Tirex Petrol SA was fined 1.5 million lei, while Datario SRL –over 1.1 million lei. The decision can be challenged in court within 30 days after its receipt by the companies concerned.