OREANDA-NEWS. December 24, 2013. An annual workshop of the International Competition Network (ICN) on competition advocacy took place in Rome. Representatives of antimonopoly authorities from 67 countries, including Russia, took place in the workshop.

Competition advocacy, in the opinion of all countries participating in the workshop, plays an important role in developing efficient competition policy, especially during the economic crisis, since it facilitates development of competition on the markets and prevents antimonopoly violations without enforcement mechanisms. It was emphasized, however, that it is important not to cross the line when instead of developing competition advocacy would boost agency popularity. The goal of advocacy is efficiency, not popularity.

A representative of the Federal Antimonopoly Service (FAS Russia), T. Selyukova, making a presentation at a session on establishing competition culture, discussed the instruments used for these purposes by Russian competition authority.

In line with the main FAS principle - it is easier to prevent a disease than treat it - establishing competition culture is one of FAS priorities. Cooperation with other state agencies, business, mass media and citizens enables FAS to form among them an understanding of free competition as an integral condition of efficient market performance for increasing their well-being and competitive ability of Russian economy in general.

FAS has varied instruments to achieve this goal: the official FAS web-site, the special “Anti-Cartel” web-site (in Russian and English); active work with mass media and in social networks through informal but efficient cooperation with business and citizens; placing social advertisements on FAS channel in Youtube and TV-channels and radio; publishing leaflets for citizens and business with explanations of the antimonopoly law and answers to frequently asked questions; organizing Round Tables, workshops, conferences on a regular basis, robust efforts of dozens of Expert Councils with business participation; creating primary FAS departments in nearly all universities in Russia and work with the oncoming generation because in 5-7 years these young people will become customers or entrepreneurs.

An interesting approach to work with mass media and business was presented by competition authorities of some foreign countries. In particular, the Netherlands organize several press-conferences on the same issue using various means to fit the audience (for professionals, journalists or for general public).

In the opinion of Albert Foer, the President of American Antitrust Institution, different approaches also must be used to work with different generations and sub-cultures. He also raised an issue of cooperation between different agencies within the same state since each of them represents a separate culture, has special goals and speaks its own professional language.

Throughout the entire workshop, the active work of FAS with business and citizens on competition advocacy, especially in social networks, caused a considerable interest from other competition authorities, because not all of them undertake such efforts.

In general, the hand-on workshop was an excellent platform for exchanging exchange on competition advocacy between the antimonopoly authorities across the world.