THE HAGUE, Friday - The Netherlands Competition Authority (NMa) suspects cartel fraud in home care. "We have indications of market-sharing, meaning the emphatic intention of the law-maker - more competition - is being frustrated," said NMa chairman Pieter Kalbfleisch yesterday at the presentation of the NMa Agenda 2008.

After hearing both sides from the parties involved, whether NMa's suspicions are indeed true should emerge. "If this is so, it is very damaging because not just the client, but also the taxpayer is the victim." Home care, an industry worth billions, is paid out of the AWBZ tax that everyone pays.

"Parties that are aware that they are participating in a cartel can own up to this to the NMa and be eligible for an exemption from or reduction in fines," Kalbfleisch said. "This does however depend on the sort of material we receive, but owning up can be rewarded and it helps us keep this sector on the right track again."

The Agenda for 2008 shows that the NMa will focus this year on the food and agriculture sectors, the financial sector and the postal market, alongside the care sector. Additionally, the sector-specific chambers of the NMa, the Office of Energy Regulation (DTe) and the Office of Transport Regulation (Vervoerkamer) will monitor the markets for transport and energy.

DTe will among other things work on fostering and improving the Northwest European market for electricity and gas. Much attention will therefore be paid to matters including supervision of the national network managers.

In 2007, the NMa only imposed fines totalling 10 million euros. These involved seven cases.