They also reviewed a number of studies conducted by the Council of Competition on the different economic sectors in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and ways of strengthening and promoting them through launching the competition's factors and limiting monopolistic practices within the sectors. Dr. Al-Qasim explained that the competition system is being applied to all facilities engaged in commercial, agricultural, industrial or service activities in the Saudi markets with the exception of government facilities. He pointed out that the Council may exempt from the application of some system's articles on the practices and agreements in violation of the system, in case it leads to the improvement of performance of these facilities, and the achievement of a benefit gained by the consumer that may exceed the effects of restricting the freedom of competition, yet the Council's the approval on such exemption shall be required. --More 12:53 LOCAL TIME 09:53 GMT www.spa.gov.sa/w