The Competition Council announced in a press release sent to MAP on Monday that it had recalled a session held on February 23 to rule on a referral from the Association of Real Estate Developers of Meknes concerning a proposed transaction between the Council’s instruction services and the National Order of Architects.
The session was convened following the publication of a press release by the General Rapporteur of the Competition Council, informing the public of grievances related to anti-competitive practices identified in the market for architectural services, which were notified to the National Order of Architects. The Order subsequently requested the non-contestation procedure for these grievances, leading to a settlement agreement between the General Rapporteur and the Order.
The settlement agreement requires the National Order of Architects to cease practices such as fixing a minimum price for architects’ fees and allocating private order market shares through a quota system.
Furthermore, the Order agrees to amend and update its governing documents and decisions to eliminate these practices, and to implement a compliance program based on the Competition Council’s guidelines to prevent future violations.
Considering the vital role of the National Order of Architects in urban and economic development, the transaction agreement also includes support for the Order in implementing its responsibilities.
This collaboration between the Competition Council and the National Order of Architects aims to enhance the competitive functioning of the market for architectural services and promote transparency and fair competition in the sector.