“Coca-Cola” Fined by 50 Million Drams for Abusing Dominant Position

February 26 sitting in the State Commission for Protection of Economic Competition (SCPEC) published results of the administrative proceedings against “Coca-Cola” company. The company was fined by 50 million AMD for abusing its dominant position. The procedure was initiated based on the complaint of “Pepsi-Cola Bottler Jermuk International”. Particularly the company “Pepsi-Cola Bottler Jermuk International” has submitted the application-complaint to the commission saying that 11 companies of “Dalma Garden Mall” have refused to acquire and sell “Pepsi-Cola” to their cus tomers. For the realization of its goods all the negotiations were remained without response. While the “Coca Cola” drinks are widely represented in all of these facilities.

The investigation carried out by the Commission revealed that the reasons and arguments made by the companies as to why the “Pepsi Cola” drink is not being sold are false and not credible. SCPEC revealed that “Coca-Cola” CJSC offers some profitable conditions to the companies with the condition of selling only its products. This conclusion was made based on the results of the study conducted not only at “Dalma Garden Mall”, but also in other places.

SCPEC considers that due to such behavior unequal competition emerges between “Coca-Cola” and other competing companies.