In recent years, the activity of large commercial networks has been developing and expanding at a rapid pace. The entry of trade networks has had a positive effect from the viewpoint of the consumers’ interests, on the one hand, by increasing the quality of service, ensuring the conditions of storage of goods, more pleasant environment for shopping, but on the other hand, it has led to the concentration of consumer goods.
The RA Minister of Economy Vahan Kerobyan said this at the regular sitting of the NA Standing Committee on Economic Affairs on November 29 presenting the package of drafts on Making Amendments and Addenda to the Law on Protection of Economic Competition and on Making Addenda to the Law on Trade and Services in the first reading for debate.
According to the Minister, taking into consideration the above-mentioned, there is a necessity to balance the interests of commercial networks and suppliers, to curb possible risks and to ensure a fair and competitive environment.
It was noted that, in addition, in the absence of fair trade rules between trade networks and suppliers, especially micro, small and medium-sized companies suffer, which, based on their weak negotiating position, are forced to agree to the actual proposed conditions or lose large partners who consume their products.
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The Minister of Economy stated that the above-mentioned problems were also recorded by the Competition Protection Commission, within the framework of the study carried out in 2021 in the field of the activity of commercial networks.
The draft law on Making Addenda to the Law on Trade and Services was introduced as well.
According to Vahan Kerobyan, as a result of the adoption of the package of drafts, it is expected to create the necessary, predictable and certain legal foundations for trade network-supplier relations, as well as the sale market of agricultural products, which will contribute to the implementation of fair trade, including improving the competitive environment and increasing the protection of consumer rights.
The MPs’ questions were related to the existing problems in the field and the ways to solve them.
The necessity for a clear regulation of trade network-suppliers’ relations was stressed.
As a result of the comprehensive debate, the legislative package was endorsed.
National Assembly of the Republic of Armenia
