Press release 06/2024March 7, 2024

The convergence of interest in the use of digital tools, such as screening and web scraping, as well as the integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in investigations into anti-competitive practices was one of the themes of the 10th Bilateral Meeting between the AdC and its Spanish counterpart CNMC, which took place in Lisbon on 7 March.During the meeting, the President of the CNMC, Cani Fernández, and the President of the AdC, Nuno Cunha Rodrigues, reinforced the commitment to continue working together on investigations, as well as on advocacy initiatives.The President of the AdC, Nuno Cunha Rodrigues, highlighted that " The exchange of knowledge and experience between competition enforcers that these types of initiatives promote is of great value (…) Therefore, I hope the cooperation between both our institutions remains strong in the future, allowing more of these encounters to take place".The President of the CNMC, Cani Fernández, emphasized that both competition authorities “share an unswerving determination to consolidate the European values of free markets and strong competition in our countries to improve the general welfare of our fellow citizens.”The last bilateral meeting took place in October 2022, in Madrid, where both authorities discussed, among others, digital markets and the combat against bid-rigging in public procurement. Since the first bilateral meeting in 2004, the two authorities have been strengthening coordination in the application of competition law in their respective markets, which are very close and sometimes even have an Iberian dimension.

10th bilateral meetingOn this occasion, the CNMC and the AdC shared recent developments concerning cartels, mergers, labor markets, artificial intelligence, and digital investigation tools, in addition to their latest initiatives to promote competition. The work sessions were oriented towards the sharing of experiences and knowledge, so as to foster a better mutual understanding of the Portuguese and Spanish markets.The AdC and the CNMC reiterated their commitment to cooperate on priority issues for both institutions.The cooperation between the two agencies is particularly important given the proximity of the markets.  In October 2022, the AdC and CNMC carried out joint unannounced inspections in Spain, in an intermediary company in the wood chip sector. Both authorities were investigating possible market-sharing agreements and the exchange of sensitive business information, that could potentially affect both the Portuguese and Spanish Market.  Moreover, the ECN+ Directive, which has been transposed in both jurisdictions, enhances the scope for cooperation.



Cooperation on Digital Tools in Competition Investigations

The Presidents of AdC and CNMC emphasized the importance of digital tools, such as screening and web scraping, and AI integration in anti-competitive practice investigations. They discussed recent developments in cartels, mergers, labor markets, and shared initiatives to promote competition. The cooperation between the two agencies is crucial due to the proximity of their markets, with joint inspections and investigations being conducted to address potential market-sharing agreements and information exchange that could impact both Portuguese and Spanish markets. The ECN+ Directive, transposed in both jurisdictions, further enhances cooperation opportunities.

The AdC and CNMC agree on the importance of using digital tools to support investigations
The AdC and CNMC agree on the importance of using digital tools to support investigations

Cooperation on Digital Tools in Competition Investigations

The competition authorities of Portugal and Spain, AdC and CNMC, reaffirmed their commitment to using digital tools like AI in investigations during their 10th Bilateral Meeting in Lisbon.