Competition Agency Chairman: competition enforcement, consumer rights protection “becoming stronger” in Georgia

Irakli Lekvinadze, the Chairman of the National Competition Agency of Georgia, on Tuesday said enforcement of competition and consumer rights protection policies in the country was “becoming stronger”.

He added “most important” reforms had been implemented in the country since 2014 to improve competition policy, which was now close to the standards of the European Union and corresponding to the requirements of the Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Area deal signed between Georgia and the bloc back in 2014. 

The functions of the National Competition Agency are expanding, and this process is fully consistent with the process of our country's integration with Europe. With the latest legislative changes, from 2024 our Agency will continue to operate under a new name - Georgian Competition and Consumer Protection Agency”, Lekvinadze said.

He said the Agency had issued 94 recommendations since 2014 in order to improve the competitive environment, signed 24 international memorandums, became an “active” member of the International Competition Network, and, since 2023, a partner of the International Consumer Protection and Enforcement Network. 

Lekvinadze added the Agency was also “actively” cooperating with representatives of the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development, Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, and the United States Agency for International Development. 

The official added Georgia would join other countries in marking international World Competition Day on December 5 with an international conference.