The Saudi General Authority for Competition has charged 79 firms operating in the automobile sector, including agents and distributors, for violating the Competition Law in 2023.

Okaz/Saudi Gazette reported that the violations included price-fixing and market division by geographical regions, reducing competition and negatively impacting consumer welfare. As a result, the authority filed criminal cases against 64 of these establishments and is currently reviewing settlement requests from the remaining 15 establishments.

The authority's report also mentioned filing criminal lawsuits against establishments in various sectors. These include three pharmacies and four retail markets for price-fixing a health product for children, three poultry and egg production firms for price-fixing, and two computer programming firms for anti-competitive practices.

Additionally, the authority initiated criminal lawsuits against six establishments for colluding with major companies on bids worth SR600 million, and against two wholesale establishments for failing to meet settlement request requirements.

Further lawsuits are being pursued against six information technology firms for collusion in competitions worth SR7.75 million, five establishments for submitting bids to health authorities in violation of the Competition Law, and three advertising firms for legal violations.