Nearly half of Latvians unaware of Competition Council’s work

Nearly half of Latvia’s residents have not heard of the Competition Council’s work, according to a public opinion survey reported by LSM. The survey found that businesses also lack knowledge about the competition watchdog.

The poll, conducted by research company RAIT Custom Research Baltic, found that public awareness has fallen compared with two years ago.

People interviewed by Latvian Television gave differing accounts of the council’s role. IT worker Rūdolfs Rutkovskis said it monitors companies to prevent corruption and coordinated bids, and to ensure fair conditions and prices. Raimonds Artūrs Rublovskis, who works at the Latvian State Archive of Audiovisual Documents, described its role as ensuring fair competition. He said competition may not always be fair, citing construction cartels.

A pensioner identified as Regīna said she sometimes doubts whether the council is doing everything necessary, pointing to cases in which competition rules appear to have been breached.

Survey findings indicate that the council should pay greater attention to four sectors: food, medicine, energy and construction. Interviewees also raised concerns about possible price agreements among fuel retailers and pharmaceutical companies. One respondent said scrutiny should extend to any sector where large sums of money are involved.