Montenegro: Competition update
The most significant reform involved consolidating competition oversight under one unified authority in Montenegro. Previously separate bodies would merge their responsibilities.
Key Structural Changes
Under the amended Competition Act, the State Aid Commission’s duties transferred to the Competition Agency. The reorganized entity now operates with:
- A council structure including a chairperson and two additional members serving four-year terms
- Decisions made by majority vote among all council members
- A director position (four-year term) overseeing daily operations
- Two deputy directors and supporting staff, with designated specialists for state aid and competition matters
Regulatory Context
These modifications stemmed from Montenegro’s European Union accession process. The changes fulfilled obligations under the Stabilisation and Association Agreement, which required establishing an “independent operative body responsible for state aid.”
The Competition Agency gained authority to manage state aid compliance within 120 days of the amendments taking effect, consolidating what had been fragmented regulatory functions into a single, streamlined administrative structure.