1 / 14

Competition & Consumer Protection REGIMES in Select MENA countries

Competition & Consumer Protection REGIMES in Select MENA countries. Rijit Sengupta International conference for oic members on competition issues 21-22 November 2011, istanbul. Outline of Presentation. Background Countries Consumer Protection Regimes: Overview

gerry
Download Presentation

Competition & Consumer Protection REGIMES in Select MENA countries

An Image/Link below is provided (as is) to download presentation Download Policy: Content on the Website is provided to you AS IS for your information and personal use and may not be sold / licensed / shared on other websites without getting consent from its author. Content is provided to you AS IS for your information and personal use only. Download presentation by click this link. While downloading, if for some reason you are not able to download a presentation, the publisher may have deleted the file from their server. During download, if you can't get a presentation, the file might be deleted by the publisher.

E N D

Presentation Transcript


  1. Competition & Consumer Protection REGIMES in Select MENA countries Rijit Sengupta International conference for oic members on competition issues 21-22 November 2011, istanbul

  2. Outline of Presentation • Background • Countries • Consumer Protection Regimes: Overview • Competition Regime: Overview • ACPs • Key Emerging Issues for Future • Way Forward Competition & Consumer Protection Regimes in Select MENA Countries

  3. Background • Why this region? - Dearth of background information • Unfamiliar territory for CUTS (curiosity) • Possibilities for comp reforms and consumer welfare • Mission Objectives Understand the prevailing state of the competition policy & Law (CPL) and consumer protection regimes in seven MENA countries & highlight key issues for action Competition & Consumer Protection Regimes in Select MENA Countries

  4. Countries ALGERIA, EGYPT, JORDAN, LEBANON, MOROCCO, SYRIA & TUNISIA Competition & Consumer Protection Regimes in Select MENA Countries

  5. CONSUMER PROTECTION REGIME: INTRODUCTION • Historically, an important issues in the region • Consumer issues dealt under the precincts of price control, consumer subsidies, quality, etc. • Consumer protection received renewed interest under the Euro-Med agreements • Explicit mention of consumer protection in some agreements (Algeria, Egypt, Lebanon & Tunisia) • Syria adopted one with German TA Competition & Consumer Protection Regimes in Select MENA Countries

  6. Consumer Protection Regime: LAWS & AGENCIES • Current State of Laws & Govt. Agencies Competition & Consumer Protection Regimes in Select MENA Countries

  7. CONSUMER PROTECTION REGIME: INTERESTING FEATURES • Govt a major economic player in the market • Consumer Protection Agencies face resource constraints, and lack adequate powers • Consumer protection issues not well-integrated in the national development policy • Consumer organisations need to be strengthened (Consumer Movement) • Cons Orgns gets most support from Govt. Deptt. • Limited interest of media on consumer issues • Donor interests and support necessary Competition & Consumer Protection Regimes in Select MENA Countries

  8. Competition Regime: INTRODUCTION • Introduction - Important trading partner of Europe - Trade liberalisation – role of external drivers - Euro-Med Agreement (Comp in EMFTA) - Competition provisions aligned with EC - Advances in business environment reforms • Policy environment for competition - Govt still a major player in economic sphere - Certain policies affect competition - Political interference in enforcement - In some countries, govt is supportive (funds++) Competition & Consumer Protection Regimes in Select MENA Countries

  9. COMPETITION REGIME: LAWS & AGENCIES Competition & Consumer Protection Regimes in Select MENA Countries

  10. Competition Regime: INTERESTRING FEATURES • Stakeholders’ interest & Linkages • Governance Issues in competition enforcement - Decision-making - Appointments - Reporting Mechanisms - Allocation of Funds Competition & Consumer Protection Regimes in Select MENA Countries

  11. Anti-competitive Practices (Alleged & Recorded) A snapshot of some anti-competitive practices gathered during the mission Competition & Consumer Protection Regimes in Select MENA Countries

  12. SUMMARISING THE Key Issues • Need for greater importance to Consumer Rights (Human Rights perspective) • Strengthening Consumer Protection Agencies (CPA) • Greater institutional autonomy & powers to agencies • Tight penalties for violators of laws • Capacity building programmes for CPAs & CAs • A consumer movement/network in the region • Greater stakeholder awareness & engagement • Mobilising media interests on consumer issues Competition & Consumer Protection Regimes in Select MENA Countries

  13. Way Forward • Political buy-in and public support for competition and consumer reforms • Refinement of policies and legislations • Institutional reforms in agencies • Enhancing interest of young professionals (University courses, Research programmes) • Strengthening CSOs engagement (network) • Mobilise attention of development partners • Integration into regional legislations/processes Competition & Consumer Protection Regimes in Select MENA Countries

  14. Shukran, Merci, Teşekkür Ederim Rijit Sengupta rsg@cuts.org Competition & Consumer Protection Regimes in Select MENA Countries

More Related