Mohamed Ouzzine, Secretary-General of the Popular Movement Party, criticized the Competition Council, led by Ahmed Rahhou, calling it the Council of Inaction whereas discussing the pinnacle of presidency’s failure to cap gasoline costs, regardless of having the authority underneath the liberty of costs and competitors regulation.
“What has prevented the head of government from capping fuel prices for the past two years, especially when Article 4 of the Competition Council Law allows him to do so?” questioned Ouzzine. He additionally talked about that his social gathering had referred to as for a “parliamentary committee to monitor prices, but it faced some obstacles.”
The head of the Competition Council rejected commenting on the sarcastic remarks made by Ouzzine, emphasizing that the Council doesn’t interact in political squabbles, and instructed Hespress AR that “anyone is free to express their opinion regarding the Council’s work.”
Rahhou affirmed that the political chief has “every right to express his opinion and discuss anything related to the council’s work.”
He added, “we are open to communication regarding any topic handled by the constitutional institution.”
The head of the Competition Council emphasised that “they’re doing their job as they should,” and added that the establishment can deal with any competition-related points raised inside the Council.
When requested about updates on an investigation into café pricing practices—a subject that had gone unanswered throughout the council’s annual media briefing final month—Rahhou acknowledged that “the investigation is still underway.”
“This case involves numerous stakeholders, and the process requires listening to all parties and ensuring their right to defense,” he defined, including that the council has but to obtain updates on the investigation’s progress.
In February, Rahhou defended the council’s determination to impose a settlement superb of MAD 1.84 billion on 9 corporations working within the nationwide gasoline provide, storage, and distribution markets, in addition to their skilled affiliation. This superb was issued over a 12 months in the past following findings of anti-competitive practices.
Rahhou clarified that the penalty was not supposed to destroy these corporations however served as a extreme punishment.
He defined, “if we compare the fine to the companies’ turnover, excluding taxes, it amounts to about 3% to 4%. In terms of annual profits, it represents approximately 50% to 60%.”
Rahhou emphasised that the council screens the influence of such fines, a apply aligned with worldwide requirements. “We cannot impose fines that completely wipe out annual profits because that would be too risky for the companies’ future investments,” he mentioned.
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