Saudi Gazette Report

RIYADH — The General Authority for Competition (GAC) slapped a fine amounting to SR13 million on a medical company for violating the provisions of the Competition Law. The company was found guilty of withholding commodity information and preventing judicial officers from performing their duties assigned to them during the coronavirus pandemic period.

The Committee for Adjudication of Competition Law Violations issued its decision to penalize the medical supplies and services company for its violation of the Competition Law. Apart from the fine, the company has been ordered to meet the cost of publishing the report about the punitive measures in the local media at its own expense. The Administrative Court of Appeal in Riyadh upheld the decision and rejected the appeal filed by the company against the decision.

The GAC sources revealed that the authority had got preliminary indications that a number of companies and establishments may violate the Competition Law during the coronavirus crisis, by limiting the flow of goods and services to the market or refraining from handling these products.

Subsequently, the board of directors of the authority decided to take procedures of inspection and investigation. Accordingly, inspectors and officers visited the company to carry out their tasks. However, the company officials obstructed them from performing the tasks entrusted to them, the authority sources pointed out.