The Competition and Consumer Protection Agency (GCCA) reports, that a total of 4,949 mergers were registered in Georgia during the fourth quarter of 2024.
- Based on identified data, 4,928 cases did not meet the necessary criteria for the obligation of prior notification. This determination was made either based on the shareholding percentages or information on the combined annual revenue of the parties involved in the transactions.
- Out of the remaining 21 cases, 14 fell under exemptions defined by competition legislation, which released the relevant parties from the obligation to submit prior notification to the Agency, while 1 case fell under the jurisdiction of another regulatory body.
- Regarding the 6 cases, according to evaluation of the Agency, they likely required prior notification about the merger, which the parties failed to provide. As a result, the Agency initiated proceedings against the responsible parties.
If a merger subject to mandatory notification is carried out without GCCA’s review, or despite a negative conclusion from the Agency, the parties obliged to submit the notification may face fines.
Prior written notification to GCCA is mandatory for the merger if the combined revenue of the parties involved in the merger within the territory of Georgia exceeds 20 million GEL in the financial year preceding the obligation to notify. Additionally, each of at least two participants in the merger must have combined revenue exceeding 5 million GEL. The fee for reviewing a merger notification is 5,000 GEL.
Additional Information: GCCA reviewed 52,593 mergers in 2024. During the reporting period, fines were imposed in 14 cases for mergers conducted without notifying the Agency, amounting to a total of 288,400.02 GEL. Administrative proceedings are ongoing in 6 cases. Furthermore, 18 mergers received approval, while the examination of 5 notifications is still in progress.
