The workshop entitled “Workshop on Merger Analysis” was held in Sarajevo from 14 to 16 April 2025, as a result of cooperation between the Competition Council of Bosnia and Herzegovina and the Turkish Competition Agency Rekabet Kurumu (TCA).

The event, intended for officials in the field of competition law and policy, served as a practical mechanism for knowledge transfer and capacity building of experts from both institutions. Guest lecturers at the workshop were Noyan Delibasi and Ibrahim Sahin, experts from the Turkish Competition Agency.

It is important to point out that the legislation of the Republic of Turkey, which relates to the protection of competition, is largely harmonized with the acquis communautaire of the European Union, and therefore compatible with the legislation of Bosnia and Herzegovina, and the Turkish market is much larger than the market of Bosnia and Herzegovina, where TCA has extensive practice in the field of concentrations.

In 2023, the TCA conducted 342 proceedings, of which 217 were mergers, and 145 cases against other prohibited competitive practices, and 8 exemptions from the prohibition of agreements were considered. The proceedings conducted in 2023 resulted in significant fines totaling 2.66 billion Turkish Lira (approximately 81 million euros).

During the workshop, the theoretical framework of merger legislation in Turkey was discussed, similarities and differences compared to Bosnia and Herzegovina, the practice of defining the relevant market was analyzed, as well as the method of assessing mergers and determining possible measures. Finally, the latest trends in this area were presented, as well as some specific cases such as extraterritorial mergers.

Attendees had the opportunity to participate in the discussions, and a large number of questions related to relevant examples from the practice of both institutions. Presentation of practical cases, as well as hypothetical cases, demonstrated a deep understanding of all workshop participants, while the rich experience of the TCA served as an extremely valuable source of best practices in the field of competition law and a practical mechanism for knowledge transfer and capacity building of officials from both institutions.