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The investigation was started after a complaint stating that ArcelorMittal Gala]i refused to contract a port terminal for bulk cargo operated by Comvex in Constan]a. While it is true that the terminal is dependent on the steel combine in Gala]i, Bogdan Chiriţoiu, chairman of the Competition Council, does not exclude the possibility that there is only a commercial conflict between Comvex and ArcelorMittal.
On the other hand, the numbers show that Comvex was badly hurt by ArcelorMittal’s decision to use another supply solution: from October to December 2009, just after the cancellation of ArcelorMittal orders, Comvex reported losses of 10.1 million RON, while in the same period of time in 2008, the port operator reported a 8.2 million RON profit. According to a release of the Competition Council, the inspection last month aimed at obtaining information and documents relating to possible anti-competitive practices that would incriminate the aggregate works at Gala]i as abusing its dominant position on Comvex.
If the investigation proves the anticompetitive practices, the Competition Council may punish ArcelorMittal Gala]i to a fine of up to 10% of its turnover.
