MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Anti-monopoly Tribunal in Chile

Magallanes Region Deputy Zarco Luksic from the ruling Chilean coalition praised the recent approval of a bill creating the Free Competition Defence Tribunal, with the purpose of promoting free market conditions in all industries, correcting or sanctioning monopoly situations contrary to consumers' interest.

Deputy Luksic said that with the new Tribunal will avoid monopoly situations such as those generated by the fusion of Chilean airlines Lan Chile and Ladeco "which only harms consumers, is contrary to free competition and has a negative influence over goods and services prices".

Mr. Luksic who is also a member of the Chilean Congress Extreme regions Commission pointed out that the bill includes "predatory practices, disloyal competition performed with the purpose of retaining a dominant position in the market".

"It will be the responsibility of the new Tribunal and the National Economic prosecutor to ensure free competition in all domestic markets".

Finally Mr. Luksic who has been a constant critic of Lan Chile "monopoly attitudes and procedures" in flights to Punta Arenas stressed that "the bill will help avoid anomalous situations in an environment of natural competition between companies in the same industry", which will benefit consumers with lower prices and improved service conditions.