Compliance with Competition Law: Prevention is Better Than Cure

Competition law aims to safeguard both businesses and consumers from anti-competitive practices. By fostering effective competition, competition law rules help create open, dynamic markets that drive productivity, innovation, and greater customer value. All businesses are required to adhere to competition law, and failure to do so can result in severe consequences for companies.

This seminar can help enhance a business’s competitive edge in the following ways:

• Risk Mitigation: By understanding and adhering to competition laws, businesses can avoid severe penalties, such as fines up to 10% of turnover and even criminal convictions for cartel activities, legal disputes, and reputational damage, fostering trust among customers and stakeholders as well as ensuring smoother operations and financial stability.

• Improved Efficiency and Innovation: Competition law compliance promotes fair competition, driving businesses to innovate, reduce costs, and improve productivity to stay competitive in the market.

• Market Opportunities and Growth: Compliance ensures a level playing field, enabling businesses, including SMEs, to enter markets more easily and expand their operations.

• Customer Trust and Brand Credibility: Demonstrating a commitment to ethical practices strengthens customer loyalty and enhances the company’s reputation, setting it apart from less compliant competitors.

• Strategic Insights: The seminar provides tools to analyze market dynamics, identify risks, and uncover opportunities for sustainable competitive advantage.

These benefits collectively position businesses to thrive in competitive markets while maintaining compliance.

Agenda Highlights:

• Understanding Competition Law: basic overview of competition law principles and objectives as well as key risks of non-compliance (fines, reputational damage and legal consequences)

• Key things you should keep an eye out for in your own and your competitors’ businesses

• Competition law compliance for trade associations such as AmCham - practical tips for trade associations and members

• Guidance on what to do if you suspect your business or a competitor is violating competition law

• Common Pitfalls: Case studies on anti-competitive practices and how to avoid them

• Building a Compliance Program: Practical steps to ensure adherence to competition laws, including training and monitoring

• Preparation and effective response in case of a dawn raid by the competition authority

• Understanding the importance of Market Analysis in Assessing Competitive Dynamics and Potential Anti-Trust Concerns

• Insight into the role of a Trustee in EU Competition Law Cases

• Q&A Session.

Speakers:

• Dženet Garibović is a lawyer with over 20 years of extensive work experience, including 18 years at PwC. She supported a team that provides comprehensive legal compliance and regulatory consulting services to diverse local and international clients. Her vast legal knowledge and exceptional project management skills significantly contribute to the team's success. She has played a role in projects encompassing international business restructuring, international M&A, data protection, and regulatory and compliance matters. She has been actively involved in competition matters, including assisting market analysis teams and serving as a member of a trustee team in merger control proceedings. Notably, she participated in a case where a leading wholesale and retail group acquired a competitor from another EU jurisdiction. Her collaboration with multinational and local clients ensures the development of strong relationships and the achievement of desired outcomes. Dzenet holds a law degree from the Faculty of Law at the University of Zagreb and a master’s degree in international Commercial Law from the University of Western Australia. She has also successfully passed the Croatian bar exam.

• Katarina Fulir is a highly accomplished competition law expert with over 20 years of experience, including that of director of legal and regulatory affairs in a dynamic telecom sector, where she navigated complex regulatory landscapes and ensured compliance with evolving competition laws. Additionally, Katarina has spent over a decade as a partner in a leading law firm in Croatia, advising clients on strategic competition law matters and merger reviews. Katarina’s expertise is further bolstered by specialized education from King's College, London, where she earned a Postgraduate Diploma in Economics for Competition Law as well as a Master's in EU Competition Law. This unique blend of academic rigor and professional experience positions Katarina as a trusted advisor on competition law issues, capable of providing insightful counsel in fast-paced and evolving markets.

This event is for AmCham members only, and it is free of charge. It will be held in Croatian. Seating is limited and available on a first-come, first-served basis.

Please ensure you apply no later than June 27.