Competition Council to review Virši-A plan to take over four fuel stations
Latvia's Competition Council is assessing whether Virši-A's planned lease of four former Astarte-nafta stations would harm competition in the fuel market. A decision is due within a month of 1 October, though the deadline can be extended.
The Competition Council (KP), the authority that oversees fair competition in Latvian markets, has begun reviewing a plan by the fuel station chain Virši-A to obtain long-term lease rights to four former Astarte-nafta stations. If the deal goes ahead, the Virši network will have a total of 105 fuel stations.
Which stations are involved
One of the stations is on 1905. gada iela in Koknese. The other three are in Cesvaine, in Augšdaugava municipality and in Preiļi municipality. All four belong to the company Naftimpeks.
What the council will assess
The authority will examine whether the transaction would affect competition in fuel retail. It is giving particular attention to the Daugavpils highway section between Riga and Jēkabpils.
Deadlines
The council may approve the deal, prohibit it, or approve it with additional conditions. It must decide within one month of 1 October. If a more in-depth investigation is needed, the deadline can be extended to four months.
The council has invited companies and other interested parties to submit their views on the deal's possible impact on competition by 21 October. These opinions will form part of the assessment before the authority decides whether Virši may take over the stations.
