Cyprus merger control reform article in Concurrences

A decade after its implementation, Cyprus’s merger control framework, though based on the EU Merger Regulation, reveals significant practical weaknesses that undermine its efficiency and proportionality. This article argues for targeted reforms to create a more pragmatic and efficient framework. It proposes a comprehensive roadmap that includes: recalibrating jurisdictional thresholds through an increase in turnover limits and the introduction of a transaction value threshold for high-value deals not captured by revenue; enhancing procedural efficiency by introducing binding rules on review timelines and a simplified procedure for straightforward cases; and mandating the CPC to publish detailed interpretative guidelines on key substantive issues. Implementing these reforms is crucial to ensure regulatory resources are focused on genuine competition concerns, thereby enhancing legal certainty and Cyprus’s attractiveness for investment.