K. KUČAIDZE HAS BEEN APPOINTED AS COUNCIL MEMBER OF KONKURENCIJOS TARYBA

Today the President of the Republic of Lithuania Gitanas Nausėda, in accordance with the Constitution, the Law on Competition and taking into account the proposal of the Prime Minister Ingrida Šimonytė, signed a decree appointing Karina Kučaidze as the Council Member of the Lithuanian competition authority. K. Kučaidze who is currently working in the UK‘s competition authority will take up her duties from 1 July.

As stated in the press release of the President’s Office, international experience of K. Kučaidze will contribute to the activities of Konkurencijos taryba in protecting fair competition and the interests of consumers, investigating anti-competitive agreements and cases of abuse of dominance. Effective protection of fair competition is especially crucial in times of crisis when consumers and businesses become highly vulnerable. Therefore, the proficiency of the competition authority’s council members is one of the key conditions for effective competition enforcement in Lithuania and the European Union.

The country's leader is pleased that after gaining international experience talented people choose to continue their professional careers in Lithuania and wishes them the best of luck.

Since 2016 K. Kučaidze has been working in the UK’s Competition and Markets Authority, firstly as Principal Case Officer in merger control and anti-competitive agreements’ units, and for the last three years as Assistant Director. From 2012 to 2015 she was Chief Expert of Anti-competitive Agreements Investigation Division in the Lithuanian Konkurencijos taryba.

K. Kučaidze graduated with a Bachelor's degree in Economics from ISM University of Management and Economics and a Master’s degree from the University of Bath (United Kingdom).

The Law on Competition stipulates that the Chairman and Council Members are appointed by the President of the Republic of Lithuania upon the proposal of the Prime Minister. The Council Members are appointed for the tenure of six years.