Asia Pacific Competition Highlights October 2020.

In this regional update, we provide you with a practical overview of the most notable antitrust legal developments over Q3 2020 that may affect your business.

 

In this issue:
 

Australia
 

• ACCC enters multilateral framework to strengthen cross-border enforcement

• Guilty plea in first criminal charge for obstructing ACCC investigation

• Merger review round up; non-publication of post-merger investigations

• Digital Platforms Inquiry update: draft bargaining code; platforms respond

 

China
 

• China releases Antitrust Guidelines on automotive sector and IP rights

• China issues guidance for leniency regime and commitment process

• Integrated circuit and software industries set as enforcement priorities

 

Hong Kong
 

• HKCC accepts proposed commitments from seaport alliance

• The Tribunal approves first cartel settlement

• HKCC publishes policy on calculating fines

 

Indonesia
 

• New omnibus law introduces higher administrative penalties and repeals criminal sanctions for substantive Anti-monopoly Law prohibitions

• Competition authority issues new merger control guidelines

 

Japan
 

• JFTC clears merger between Z Holdings Corporation and LINE Corporation

 

Malaysia
 

• MyCC issues final market review report on  wholesale and retail sectors

 

Philippines
 

• New law exempts M&A transactions with value less than PHP 50 billion from compulsory notification

 

Singapore
 

• CCCS publishes study on e-commerce platforms and updates guidelines

• CCCS issues Guidelines on Price Transparency

• CCCS issues COVID-19 guidance on collaborations for supply of essentials

• CCCS ends probe into online food delivery and virtual kitchen sectors

 

Taiwan
 

• Nomination for four new commissioners in the TFTC by 31 October 2020

• Cartel investigation into commercial fire insurance rate published by industry association

 

Thailand
 

• OTCC considers guidance for food delivery platform operators 

• OTCC announces amendments to franchising guidelines

 

Vietnam
 

• VCCA publishes several merger decisions

• VCCA preparing to study aviation and e-commerce sectors

 

For further information, please contact:

 

Stephen Crosswell, Partner, Baker & McKenzie

stephen.crosswell@bakermckenzie.com