Competition & Consumer Protection REGIMES in Select MENA countries

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