Andrej Matvoz, the director of the Slovenian Competition Protection Agency (AVK), and Neža Zupančič, head of the Concentrations and Economic Analysis Department at AVK, participated in the ICN Unilateral Conduct Workshop held in Prague last week. The workshop, organized by the Czech competition authority, centered on unilateral conduct by companies in the realm of competition.

During the event, Zupančič moderated a roundtable discussion titled 'Administrative Monopolies and Exclusive Rights Granted by Governments,' featuring prominent speakers from various jurisdictions, including representatives from Brazil and Spain, as well as Alden Abbott from George Mason University in the United States.

The roundtable addressed government actions that can distort competition by granting certain companies rights and privileges, leading to the creation of administrative monopolies or dominant positions that may harm competition. Participants discussed the effects of administrative monopolies, the distinction between legitimate and harmful conduct, and how to address competition distortions caused by such monopolies.

The workshop also covered key topics such as abuse of dominance, competition in digital markets, defining relevant markets, theories of harm, and evidentiary standards. It served as a significant annual professional meeting in the field of competition law and policy, showcasing best practices and guidelines for market regulators while addressing emerging trends, including artificial intelligence and digital markets.

The ICN, as a project-oriented informal network of competition authorities from developed and developing countries, aims to share experiences in competition law enforcement and promote international cooperation.