Shuvalov urges regulator to ensure against cartels, especially in wholesale sector
MOSCOW. March 12 (Interfax) - First Deputy Prime Minister Igor Shuvalov has urged the Federal Anti-Monopoly Service (FAS) to check into the possible presence of trade cartels in the Russian economy, especially in the wholesale sector.
"Elements of a cartel must be sought where there is retail trade: this is a branch of wholesale and retail trade, especially in the biggest cities, such as Moscow and St. Petersburg. It would be good to look into this, since food product prices are high," Shuvalov said at an expanded meeting of the FAS board in Moscow on Wednesday.
Shuvalov pointed out the substantial gap between prices in Russia's two biggest cities and the rest of the country.
Along with the higher living standards in the capital and in northwestern Russia, practices aimed at restricting competition may also be a factor in the price differential, he said.