Russian antitrust may launch cases against Visa, MasterCard

MOSCOW, Nov 23 (PRIME) -- Russia may launch cases against Visa and MasterCard for discriminating small business against large businesses by the size of commission for servicing following a planned complaint by small and medium-sized business lobby group Opora Rossii, Federal Antimonopoly Service Director Igor Artemyev told reporters on Wednesday.

Opora Rossii President Alexander Kalinin told Artemyev that Visa and MasterCard charge a 1.5% commission for servicing large businesses and a 2.5% commission for servicing small business, which is discrimination.

“This is a claim to the service. With pleasure. It will be one of the most favorite cases,” Artemyev said.

Kalinin told PRIME that Opora Rossii plans to submit a claim to the service, without mentioning any timeframe.

End