Previous NextJane CheungThe Competition Commission has filed the city's first case on abuse of substantial market power against a medical gas supplier, accusing it of distorting competition and affecting public hospitals' consumer interests. The watchdog has filed the case with the Competition Tribunal against Linde HKO and Linde GmbH for abusing Linde's "substantial degree of market power" in Hong Kong's medical gas supply market between October 2015 and January 2018, hindering competition in the downstream medical gas pipeline system maintenance market. It is also pursuing Linde HKO's general manager Tse Chun-wah, who was "actively involved in formulating and executing" the exclusionary acts, for contravening the Competition Ordinance. The commission alleged Linde limited or even ceased supply of medical gases to MGI (Far East), the only other potential pipeline maintenance service provider for public hospitals. The commission is also asking the tribunal to impose fines on Linde and Tse and disqualify Tse as a director for up to five years.

Source: The Standard December 21, 2020 19:07 UTC