Press Release

33^rd Methodological Council

The 33^rd session of the Methodological Council was held at the Agency of the Republic of Kazakhstan for Competition Protection (Antimonopoly Agency). At the session, the civil appeals against violations of the “Astanaenergosbyt” LLC in Astana and the applications from public enterprises to be permitted to proceed with their activity were considered; the methodological papers draft for making analyses and evaluating competition in commodity and financial markets was discussed as well.     

The Agency is still receiving civil appeals in Astana in regard to electric energy cutoffs by the “Astanaenergosbyt” LLC (the “LLC”) for community services (the “CS”) payment failures, unreasonable charges for the CS, and inaccuracy of applying a differentiated tariff.        

Before, the Agency obliged the LLC to stop and discontinue abuse of dominant position. According to the LLC’s information of November 16, 2009, the obligations were complied with.

Since the LLC continues to violate antimonopoly legislation, it was decided to consider at the Agency’s Board session the issue of imposing administrative charges on this LLC. The LLC was obliged to stop violations in regard to electric energy cutoffs for CS payments debts and to correct the application of a differentiated tariff.     

The Agency indicated that according to legislation the CS payment is obligatory for residents since it makes a part of the payments for residents’ common apartment area (condominium). 

Thus, the Akimat and the Agency’s Interregional Inspection in Astana recommended the LLC to take measures regarding explanation of CS payments charges procedure and methods. The Apartment Owners’ Cooperative should support and participate in these measures.     

Besides, the Methodological Council session included 8 applications from public enterprises to be permitted to proceed with their activity in forestry, industrial safety and physical culture.  

The Methodological Council decided to make conclusive decisions on these applications in regard to setting up a government commission involving representatives from the Ministry of Economy and Budget Planning, the Ministry of Finance, the Ministry of Justice, the Agency of the RK for Competition Protection.  

In order to prevent artificial deficit of products and unreasonable price increase the Methodology was developed and approved to conduct analyses, monitor and forecast markets of sensitive products. Such markets include food, fruits and vegetables, fuels and energy complex, cement, pharmaceuticals, etc. This Methodology takes into account population demands for such products, seasonal price increases, import dependence, impact of global prices. The Methodology is necessary to forecast and abolish possible facts of artificial deficit of products, unreasonable price increase. It serves also as recommendations to the Interregional Inspections and local executive authorities to run their joint work.