The Czech competition authority, ÚOHS, hosted a conference at the Liechtenstein Palace in Prague to celebrate its 35th anniversary. The event featured discussions on the future of competition law and public procurement, with experts sharing insights on the challenges and opportunities ahead.

During the first panel, speakers emphasized the importance of a modern competition authority that can adapt to changing market conditions over the next five to ten years. Vice-chairman Kamil Nejezchleb highlighted that fair competition leads to innovation and lower prices, while chairman Petr Mlsna warned about the EU's move towards a more closed market. The discussion also touched on the need for competition law to protect the European market against global competitors like the USA and China.

The second panel focused on trends in public procurement, discussing the complexities and challenges faced in the last decade. Vlastimil Fidler from the Ministry for Regional Development noted that the current public procurement law has provided stability and balance, with minimal significant amendments over the past ten years. However, concerns about transparency and public perception of procurement processes remain, as highlighted by Tomáš Machurek from the Association for Public Procurement.

In conclusion, the conference addressed upcoming legislative changes proposed by the EU, with chairman Mlsna advocating for the retention of directives to allow member states the flexibility to adapt rules to their specific needs.