Antitrust
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Commission inspections in sector of automotive electrical and electronic components
25 February 2010
The Commission can confirm that it carried out unannounced inspections in several Member States at the premises of companies active in the sector of automotive electrical distribution systems (sometimes referred to as wiring harnesses) and of other components for automotive electronic and electrical distribution systems.
The Commission has reason to believe that the companies concerned may have violated EU antitrust rules that prohibit cartels and restrictive business practices.
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Mergers
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Commission clears proposed merger of InnoLux, Chi Mei Optoelectronics and TPO
25 February 2010
The Commission found that competition concerns could be excluded for all alternative product markets examined.
In all cases, the new entity would have limited market shares and would continue to face strong competitors including Samsung, Wintek, Sharp, AUO and LG.
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Commission approves proposed acquisition of Mitsubishi Rayon by Mitsubishi Chemical Holdings Corporation
25 February 2010
The Commission's investigation found that the proposed merger would not close off the market to competition and that a sufficient number of competitors would remain active, due to the combined entity's low market shares in the related markets.
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Commission approves acquisition of DSI International by Bank of America and Barclays Bank
25 February 2010
The Commission’s examination of the proposed transaction showed that neither BAC nor Barclays have business activities in a product market upstream or downstream to markets in which DSI is active in the EEA.
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Commission clears proposed acquisition of General Electric's security business by United Technologies Corporation
22 February 2010
The Commission's investigation confirmed that the proposed acquisition would be unlikely to raise competition concerns.
On both, the equipment and the services level, the increases in market shares are marginal.
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State aid
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Commission publishes up-dated table of national anti-crisis measures
26 February 2010
View table >
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Commission approves Irish impaired asset relief scheme
26 February 2010
The Commission approved the establishment of the National Asset Management Agency (NAMA), an impaired asset relief scheme for financial institutions in Ireland.
The Commission found the scheme to be in lne with EU state aid rules, because it helps addressing the issue of asset quality in the Irish banking system and promotes the return to a normally functioning financial market.
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Commission takes Greece to Court for failure to recover illegal tax exemptions
24 February 2010
The Commission has refered Greece to the EU Court of Justice for failing to comply with a Commission decision of July 2007.
The 2007 decision ordered Greece to recover state aid unlawfully granted to hundreds of companies through illegal tax exemptions.
To date, Greece has not recovered the aid from the beneficiaries.
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In-depth investigation into €166 million State loan for Slovak rail freight company
24 February 2010
The Commission launched an in-depth investigation to ascertain whether the loan granted by the Slovak State to Železnicná spolocnost Cargo Slovakia (ZSSK Cargo) is in line with EU State aid rules.
At this stage the Commission believes that the loan - for the financing of costs linked to the operation of the company - could constitute state aid that is incompatible with the internal market.
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Commission approves indemnity scheme for federal museums in Austria
24 February 2010
The Commission endorsed a scheme that allows the Austrian Minister of Finance to assume liability for damage to art objects borrowed by Austrian federal museums for exhibition in Vienna.
The Commission found that the aid measure promotes culture and preserves national cultural heritage without adversely affecting trading conditions and competition in the Internal Market.
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In-depth investigation into German rules on fiscal loss carry-forward for ailing companies
24 February 2010
The Commission opened a formal investigation into a German measure granting tax advantages to ailing companies when there are significant changes in their shareholding.
The Commission is concerned that the measure may favour ailing companies in comparison to healthy companies, with regard to their loss carry-forwards.
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Commission launches investigation into state loan granted to Czech airlines
24 February 2010
The Commission opened an in-depth investigation into a loan granted to CSA – Czech airlines by the State-owned entity Osinek.
At this stage, the Commission cannot exclude that the loan and its subsequent de-collateralisation - which the airline will use to finance costs linked to the operation of the company - constitutes aid that is incompatible with the internal market.
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Commission closes inquiry into Danske Statsbaner
24 February 2010
The Commission has closed its inquiry into the public-service contracts concluded with the Danish railway company "Danske Statsbaner".
The closure of the inquiry follows the Danish authorities' decision to accept a new mechanism for funding the railway operator.
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