OREANDA-NEWS. August 04, 2011. FAS Russia delegation led by Deputy Head of FAS Anatoly Golomolzin took part in the 11th session of the Intergovernmental Group of Experts on Competition Law and Policy, reported the press-centre of FAS Russia.

The Intergovernmental Group of Experts held consultations executing the Resolution (Clause 8) of 6th UN Conference to Review All Aspects of the Set of Mutually Agreed Equitable Principles and Rules for the Control of Restrictive Business Practices. The Intergovernmental Group of Experts paid special attention to the practical issues and importance of exchanging experience between developed and developing countries.

The session agenda included:

а) Foundations of an effective competition policy;

b) Consultations on the Model Law on Competition;

c) The importance of coherence between competition policies and government policies;

d) Peer review of Serbian competition Law and Policy;

e) Review of the experience gained so far in enforcement cooperation, including at the regional level.

Commenting the session, Anatoly Golomolzin pointed out that UNCTAD plays more noticeable role in strengthening potential and providing technical assistance to recently formed “young” competition authorities. In the countries with transitional economy, most competition authorities are in place for 5 – 10 years. At the session several countries reported creating independent competition authorities or adopting new competition acts in the past one or two years.

UNCTAD encourages effective work of “young” competition authorities, which is determined by such important conditions: independence, sufficient financial resources, qualified staff, leadership qualities, an ability to advocate importance of compliance with the antimonopoly law to business community and state agencies, effective cooperation with regulatory bodies.

UNCTAD pais special attention to the work with regional groups, such as CARICOM (Caribbean Community), CEMAC (Economic and Monetary Community of Central Africa), COMESA (Community of East and South Africa), ECOWAS (Economic Community of West African States), SADC (South African Development Community) and UEMOA (West African Economic and Monetary Union). To intensify this work, UNCTAD has put forward two initiatives: to expand the COMPALL (on competition policy in Latin America) and to roll-out a regional programme for Africa – AFRICOMP.

Summing up its work, the Intergovernmental Group of Experts approved the report to be submitted to the UN Trade and Development Commission for consideration.