An anti-competitive agreement is a contract or arrangement between two or more businesses that restricts competition in a particular market or industry. Such agreements can take many forms, such as price-fixing, market-sharing, or bid-rigging. In other words, an anti-competitive agreement is an agreement or collusion among competitors that is designed to reduce competition and increase profits.

Price-fixing is one of the most common types of anti-competitive agreements. It involves competitors agreeing to set a fixed price for a particular product or service. This eliminates competition on price, and can result in higher prices for consumers.

Market-sharing is another type of anti-competitive agreement, where competitors agree to divide a market between them. This can result in reduced competition in certain areas, and can lead to higher prices for consumers.

Bid-rigging is another form of anti-competitive agreement, where competitors agree to submit only certain bids for a contract, or agree to submit bids at a certain price. This can lead to higher prices for the buyer, and can limit competition in the bidding process.

Anti-competitive agreements are illegal under competition law, and can result in fines or even criminal charges for the businesses involved. A company found guilty of anti-competitive behavior may also face damage to its reputation and loss of business.

To avoid involvement in anti-competitive agreements, businesses should ensure that they have a competition law compliance program in place. This should include regular training and monitoring, as well as a system for reporting and investigating any potential violations.

In conclusion, anti-competitive agreements are agreements or collusions among competitors that restrict competition and can lead to higher prices for consumers. Such agreements are illegal under competition law, and businesses should have compliance programs in place to avoid involvement in such behavior.