Antitrust Authority to fast-track noncontroversial mergers

The idea behind the policy is to cut regulation and waiting time in clear-cut situations that raise little or no concern about increasing market concentration.

By NIV ELIS
A pedestrian looks at an electronic board showing the stock market indices of various countries outside a brokerage in Tokyo. (photo credit: REUTERS)
A pedestrian looks at an electronic board showing the stock market indices of various countries outside a brokerage in Tokyo.
(photo credit: REUTERS)
The Antitrust Authority on Sunday announced plans to create a fast-track “bright-green lane” for mergers and acquisitions that do not raise concerns over reducing competition.
The idea behind the policy is to cut regulation and waiting time in clear-cut situations that raise little or no concern about increasing market concentration.
In such cases, the deals will be approved within “a significantly shorter period” than the 30 days required by law, the Antitrust Authority said.
To qualify, the two companies involved in a merger or acquisition will have to provide detailed information and a full notice, as opposed to an abbreviated one otherwise used, including market research, analyses and data on market share that prove there are no competition worries.
The Antitrust Authority said it will reconsider the policy after a three-month trail period, which will stretch from May 8 to August 8, before enshrining it as a permanent path.