MONTENEGRO Trends and Developments Contributed by: Bisera Andrijasevic, BDK Advokati
very high prices for consumers. The Agency has been conducting a sector inquiry, although no investigations have been launched yet. In 2023, the Agency issued a conditional approval for a concentration on the retail market which includ - ed two national retail chains, and the imposed commitments included reporting obligations, including reporting on average realised margins for all categories of food and non-food prod - ucts in retails stores on certain local markets in a period of two years following the concentration approval. Conclusion The developments in Montenegro’s merger control landscape highlight both progress and persistent challenges. While the Agency’s reli - ance on EU principles provides some level of coherence, the lack of detailed local regulations
and the protracted nature of misdemeanour proceedings create uncertainty. The anticipated legislative reforms in 2025 offer an opportunity to address at least some of these issues, enhanc - ing the clarity, efficiency, and fairness of Monte - negro’s merger control regime. Businesses operating in Montenegro should closely monitor these changes to adapt to the evolving regulatory environment and ensure compliance. Informed by a thorough under - standing of both the current framework and anticipated reforms, proactive compliance measures will be essential in navigating the com - plexities of merger control enforcement. With the expected legislative changes, Montenegro has the potential to establish a more balanced and effective competition regime, benefiting market participants and consumers alike.
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