GRATA International Law Firm
7 Contributions by GRATA International Law Firm
PRACTICE NOTES
Note – to determine whether notification thresholds in Azerbaijan and around the world are satisfied, see: Where to Notify.
1. Have there been any recent developments regarding the merger control regime in Azerbaijan and are any updates or developments expected in the coming year? Are there any other ‘hot’ merger control issues in Azerbaijan?
On 8 December 2023, the Law approving the Competition Code of the Republic of Azerbaijan (the Competition Code) was adopted. This Code marks a substantial overhaul of the national regulatory landscape. Consisting of 12 chapters and 84 articles, it brings in fresh concepts and definitions, including relevant market, unfair trade practices, low monopoly price, barriers to entry, and concentration of economic entities. The Competition Code supersedes the Law of the Republic of Azerbaijan on Antimonopoly Activity of 4 March 1993 and the Law of the Republic of Azerbaijan on Unfair
Competition
PRACTICE NOTES
1. What is the applicable legislation?
In relation to supervising foreign investment, the Republic of Belarus presently does not possess a fully cohesive framework. Rules on oversight (and any carve-outs) arise from a mix of specific international accords—most notably the Treaty on the Eurasian Economic Union, with Appendices 1–33, executed in Astana on 29 May 2014 (the EAEU Treaty)—together with domestic law. Of particular significance is the Protocol on Trade in Services, Establishment, Activities and Investment, set out in Appendix 16 to the EAEU Treaty (Protocol 16). It requires abstaining from applying specified controls to investors originating from EAEU member states (Belarus, Russia, Armenia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan)...
Competition
PRACTICE NOTES
1. What is the applicable legislation?
The governing law is Law 194(I)/2025 on the Establishment of a Framework for the Screening of Foreign Direct Investments 2025 (FDI Law 2025). It gives domestic effect to the obligations under Regulation (EU) 2019/452 on foreign direct investment screening (Regulation (EU) 2019/452)...
2. Which government or other body (or bodies) reviews foreign investments?
The Ministry of Finance acts as the competent authority to accept FDI notifications, carry out assessments and liaise with other departments or the EU. The review process is assisted by an inter‑ministerial Advisory Committee, with participation from the relevant ministries...
3. What is the scope of the foreign investment regime in Cyprus? Does it only apply to specific sectors or types of investors (eg foreign or non-EU / non-WTO)? Are there specific rules for certain types of investors (eg state-owned
Competition
PRACTICE NOTES
An interview with Elvira Maratova, partner and head of the Kyrgyzstan practice, Tamirlan Muktarov, senior associate, and Elmira Usenova, associate at regional law firm GRATA International Law Firm, exploring central issues on merger control in Kyrgyzstan.
Note – to verify whether notification thresholds in Kyrgyzstan and worldwide are reached, consult Where to Notify.
1. Have there been any recent developments regarding the merger control regime in Kyrgyzstan and are any updates or developments expected in the coming year? Are there any other ‘hot’ merger control issues in Kyrgyzstan?
Resolution No. of the Cabinet of Ministers of the Kyrgyz Republic...
Competition
PRACTICE NOTES
A conversation with Diana Lupu, associate, at GRATA International on key issues on FDI control in Moldova
1. What is the applicable legislation?
The principal statute regulating control of foreign direct investment (FDI) is Law No. 174/2021 on the mechanism for examining investments of significance for state security. It sets the conditions under which investors may undertake investment activities in areas considered important to state security, and defines the means of state oversight to bolster the transparency of such investments.
2. Which government or other body (or bodies) reviews foreign investments?
The Council for the Promotion of National Importance Investment Projects (the Council), created by Government Decision No. 585/2016, is the body that assesses investment projects of national security
Competition
PRACTICE NOTES
A discussion with Nurlan Kyshtobaev, partner and head of Tajikistan practice, and Bahodur Nurov, senior associate at regional law firm GRATA Law Firm, on key issues in merger control in Tajikistan
NOTE – to check whether notification thresholds in Tajikistan and worldwide are met, see Where to Notify.
1. Have there been any recent developments regarding the merger control regime in Tajikistan and are any updates or developments expected in the coming year? Are there any other ‘hot’ merger control issues in Tajikistan?
Competition and merger oversight in Tajikistan is primarily governed by the Law on the Protection of Competition No. 1417 (the Competition Law), enacted on 30 May 2017. Since its adoption, no material new developments have occurred. Nevertheless, aspects of the statute create certain risks, notably around extraterritorial application. Consequently, the Antitrust Authority could prohibit particular transactions even where there is no direct effect on
Competition
PRACTICE NOTES
Note—to check if notification thresholds in Uzbekistan and throughout the world are satisfied, see: Where to Notify.
1. Have there been any recent developments regarding the merger control regime in Uzbekistan and are any updates or developments expected? Are there any other ‘hot’ merger control issues in Uzbekistan?
Uzbekistan’s merger control framework is now set by the Law of the Republic of Uzbekistan No ZRU-850 of 3 July 2023 on Competition (the Competition Law). It takes effect on 4 October 2023, superseding the Law on competition No ZRU-319 of 6 December 2012. The Competition Law applies to merger oversight across both financial and commodity markets.
Complementary rules appear in Regulation No 86, which approves a unified procedure for issuing permission documents via a dedicated electronic system. Annex 12 to Regulation No 86 establishes a Passport for reviewing and obtaining preliminary consent for
Competition
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