7Up2 Project

AGENDA

TRAINING WORKSHOP ON COMPETITION POLICY AND LAW IMPLEMENTATION FOR LAO PDR
March 7-8, 2006, Lane Xang Hotel, Vientiane

Work Program

08:00               Registration of participants

08:30               Opening Statements, Representatives of National Economic Research Institute (NERI) and the                          Lao Ministry of Commerce

Session I

09:00               The Need and Rationale for a Competition Law and Policy in Lao PDR

                        (Dr. S. Chakravarthy / Dr. Leeber Leebouapao, NERI and Representatives of the Ministry of                           Commerce, Lao PDR) 

  • The Idea and Principle of Economic Competition
  • Competition Policy and Competition Law and Their Relations
  • Objectives and Benefits of Applying Competition Law
  • The Lao Trade Competition Commission (structure, task, status and its position within the framework of existing legislation)

10:30               Coffee Break

10:45               Questions and Answers

12:00               Lunch

Session II

 13:00               The Definition of Relevant Markets
                          (Dr. Deunden Nikomborirak) 

The Significance of Defining Relevant Markets in Competition Case Handling

  • Relevant Product Markets and Relevant Geographical Markets
  • Common Techniques for Defining Relevant Markets
  • Examples from some selected cases

14:00               Questions and Answers

14:45               Coffee Break              

Session III

15:00               The Main Areas of Competition Law Implementation
                          (Mr. Tzu-Shun Hu) 

  • Restrictive Business Agreements (and Concerted Actions)
    • Horizontal and Vertical Agreements
    • Exemptions
  • Dominant Market Positions and the Control of Abuses
  • Control of Mergers and Acquisition
    • What is a Merger?
    • Types of Mergers and Acquisitions
    •  Intentions of Mergers
    • Possible Benefits, Risks and Negative Effects of Mergers

15:45            Questions and Answers

Session IV (Day II)

09:00               The Main Areas of Competition Law Implementation
                          (Mr. Tzu-Shun Hu) 

      • Unfair Trade Practices and Consumer Protection
      • Competition Advocacy
      • Competition Implementation in Regulated Industries  

10:30               Coffee Break

10:45               Questions and Answers

12:00               Lunch

Session V

13:00               Specific Problems of Implementing Competition Law in Developing Countries
                          (Dr. S. Chakravarthy)

      • Economic Reforms and Transition, Privatisation
      • Market Failures, Information Asymmetries and Lack of Information
      • Bargaining power vis-ŕ-vis Transnational Corporations (TNCs) 
      • Enforcement Capacity Constraints
      • The Lao Context

14:45               Coffee Break

15:00               Questions and Answers

16:30               Conclusions and closure of the workshop