Irakli Lekvinadze, Chairman of the Georgian Competition and Consumer Agency (GCCA), presented the Agency’s 2025 activity report to the Economic Policy Committee of the Parliament of Georgia. The hearing was attended by representatives of the Agency and members of Parliament.
During the hearing, the Chairman addressed key developments across the GCCA's core mandates: competition law enforcement, consumer rights protection, and the implementation of anti-dumping measures.
According to the report, the Agency concluded four formal investigations during the reporting period, confirming an abuse of dominant position in two cases. Strategic monitoring was conducted across seven key markets, and one anti-dumping investigation was finalized. In the area of consumer protection, complaint volume increased by 65%, with total financial redress for citizens reaching up to GEL 1 million.
In the Chairman’s assessment, 2025 was defined by landmark decisions, tangible enforcement outcomes, and international recognition. Twelve years after its establishment, the GCCA has strengthened its regulatory impact across strategic domestic markets while expanding its institutional presence on international platforms.
In 2025, four antitrust investigations were completed, two of which established excessive pricing practices. For infringements identified in the pharmaceutical sector, four undertakings were fined a total of up to GEL 600,000. A separate violation in the auto market resulted in a fine of up to GEL 900,000 for Rustavi Auto Market. In several cases no infringement was established, although recommendations were issued.
The GCCA actively conducted market monitoring across key strategic sectors, including fuel, fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG), agrochemicals and pesticides, tobacco, and healthcare services. The report outlines interim findings alongside key policy recommendations submitted to relevant regulatory authorities.
In 2025, up to 24,000 registered concentrations were reviewed, and approved 18 of them. The highest volume of concentration notifications was recorded in the construction and building materials sector, followed by retail, healthcare, and education.
The number of complaints submitted to the Agency increased by 65% in 2025. Through GCCA intervention, over 90% of complaints were resolved in favor of consumers, enabling citizens to recover approximately GEL 1 million in direct reimbursements. Online commerce accounted for up to 70% of total filings, with clothing, electronics, and delivery services comprising the primary sectors. Reimbursement remained the most frequently requested remedy. Consumer complaints are processed free of charge within a 30-day statutory period.
“Among our key strategic achievements in 2025 was assuming the Presidency of the International Consumer Protection and Enforcement Network (ICPEN) for 2026/2027. ICPEN brings together over 90 international enforcement authorities to drive international best practice in consumer rights protection. Under this mandate, Georgia successfully convened a high-level international conference in September 2026.
Furthermore, the Agency earned prestigious recognition from the World Bank for the tangible market impact delivered to consumers through our structural decisions and recommendations in the pharmaceutical sector. Selected as a global best practice among submissions from 40 jurisdictions. The GCCA was also awarded top ranking for its consumer protection communication strategy,” Lekvinadze stated.
In 2025, the Agency completed an anti-dumping investigation concerning the alleged dumped import of rebar from Iran and the Russian Federation. Taking into account the existing protective tariff measures already implemented by the Government to support domestic producers, the imposition of an additional anti-dumping duty was deemed unnecessary.
“2025 was also an active year for the GCCA in international cooperation. For the fourth consecutive year, we hosted the International Conference on Competition and Consumer Protection, convening over 50 prominent international experts and speakers across 18 jurisdictions. The GCCA also maintained a leading role in strategic initiatives under the auspices of UNCTAD and the OECD.
Notably, 2026 marks the 30th anniversary of Georgia’s first independent competition authority. This report captures the pivotal developments and institutional progress achieved over the past three decades. Looking ahead through 2026, the Georgian Competition and Consumer Agency will remain resolute in driving market competitiveness across strategic sectors and upholding high standards of consumer protection,” Lekvinadze concluded.
