PRESS RELEASE

THE ANTITRUST AUTHORITY REDUCES BY 25% COMPANIES’ CONTRIBUTIONS ALLOCATED FOR THE ITS OPERATIVENESS

The resolution was adopted in the light of the Country’s particular economic situation and of its productive fabric, and was enabled also owing to the Authority’s cut in expenses. In fact, the Authority decreased its expenses for 2014 from 0.08 to 0.06 per thousand of the turnover against a maximum of 0.5% provided for by law.

In a meeting on 09^th May 2013, the Autorità Garante della Concorrenza e del Mercato resolved to reduce by 25% companies’ contributions destined for the financing of the Authority on the basis of the 2012 Development Decree. Therefore, expenses for companies with proceeds above 50 million Euros shall decrease for year 2014 from 0.08 to 0.06 per thousand of the turnover, against 0.5 per thousand provided for by law as maximum threshold. The contribution, paid for the first time in October 2012, must be paid within July 2014, whereas for the current year no payment is envisaged.

The choice to reduce the contribution was adopted in the light of the Country’s particular economic situation as well as that of the companies’. Moreover, it confirms the Authority’s commitment, often reasserted by President Giovanni Pitruzzella, to ease charges at the expense of the productive system as much as possible. Said resolution is inserted in the Authority’s spending review process which has led to a further reduction of its overall expenses, resulting in the cut of important items and the requalification of others addressed toward investments rather than toward consumptions.

Rome, 10^th June 2013