Brussels, 13/09/2000 (Agence Europe) - The European Commission has given the go-ahead to the joint acquisition by Sanpaolo IMI Private Equity Scheme BV (banking and financial services) and the Luxembourg firm MWCR Lux Sarl (financial services and investment banking) of the Italian firms Omega Bilance Spa and CEG Di Maarch & Piantanida Snc. Omega is active in the manufacture and wholesale of scales and other weighing devices, whereas CEG is active in the manufacture and wholesale of slicers and mincers to food retailers and catering operators. The two buyers, for their part have minor activities in the market segment for scales sold to food retail customers in Italy via their joint venture MWCR. This overlap is, however, insignificant and the market is also fragmented, with a number of strong competitors active in Italy. The operation does not therefore give rise to concerns regarding competition.