Annual Report 2008

Dear reader,

2008 was a busy and successful year for the Estonian Competition Authority, both as regards the main fields of activity and developing the organisation. In addition to celebrating its 15th anniversary, the Authority also operated as a merged authority for the first year. As a result, we had an excellent opportunity to use all the benefits of the merger in our daily work. The anniversary was celebrated by holding an international conference to introduce our courses of action and objectives.

In addition to change of location, the authority rearranged its organisational structure which is now of optimal build-up and enables constructive co-operation between divisions. Our structural units possess sector-based know-how and experience, proved to be remarkably useful in making the authority’s work more effective. For example several cases in the fields of energy and electronic communications were proceeded in very close co-operation between the divisions. The daily exchange of know-how that significantly helps to contribute to the speed and quality of the proceedings is equally important. In 2008 more attention was paid to public relations than in the years before. A communication strategy was developed, leading to more goal-oriented and open relations with our partners and the media. However, 2008 will be remembered as a year of deep and somewhat frightening economic processes, so as a state authority we have to concentrate on saving operational costs without any compromises as regards quality. On the other hand it is impossible in the changed economic circumstances to underestimate the importance of raising competition related awareness, supported by effective supervision. Unfortunately, in order to survive, undertakings are tempted to conclude prohibited agreements, or when wishing to strengthen their position, either deliberately or unintentionally cross the line, as a result of which their conduct can be qualified as an abuse of dominant position.

This annual report will give an expressive overview of our activities in different sectors during 2008, with the hope that it will be a worthy introduction to our work in the coming years.

With best wishes,
Märt Ots
Director General