Raksha Sharda CUTS International 1 st National Reference Group (NRG) Meeting, India

1. Overview of the CREW Project Competition Reforms in Key Markets for Enhancing Social & Economic Welfare in Developing Countries RakshaSharda CUTS International 1st National Reference Group (NRG) Meeting, India 24th July, 2013

2. Outline • Introduction • Project Progress & Planned Activities • Role of National Reference Group Members

3. I. Introduction

4. 1. Goal & Objectives Goal To better demonstrate measurable benefits from effective competition reforms in DCs, for ensuring long-term support for competition Objectives • Enhance understanding of benefits from competition reforms in DCs (consumers & producers) • Develop & test a methodology to assess efficacy of competition reforms in benefitting consumers and producers in specific markets • Advocate to key actors (National & International) for greater support to competition reforms in key markets • Sustain momentum on competition reforms and take it forward

5. 2. Outputs & Outcome Outputs • Documented evidence of benefits from competition reforms in key markets • Dialogues involving multiple stakeholders on benefits of competition reforms in DCs • Strategy for capacity building of DC competition agencies and sector regulators • Framework (Tool) for monitoring and evaluating the process of competition reforms in DCs • Demand from elsewhere (other sectors and/or countries) for similar exercise Outcome Greater attention and impetus for competition reforms in key DC markets resulting in consumer and producer benefits

6. 3. Phases of the Project • Phase I (Diagnostic Phase): Assess implications of competition reforms in specific markets; identify benefits and causes of existing consumer & producer concerns – RESEARCH & CONSULTATIONS • Phase II (Design Phase): Design a composite methodology to quantify (actual & potential) benefits of competition reforms– DESIGN & CONSULTATIONS • Phase III (Validation Phase): Test the veracity of this methodology in micro-locations in project countries; and use results for advocacy – ADVOCACY & PUBLIC EDUCATION

7. 4. Indicators of Consumer Welfare • Access: Have the reach of goods and services to consumers in areas where they were not available earlier (distributive efficiency)? • Quality/Price: Are better quality goods and services available for consumers? Have prices increased appreciably of such good/services? • Choice:Are new products available to consumers? Are new firms entering the market offering more variety? • Price:Have prices changed, either increased or decreased? • Time savings: Do offered goods and services help save time for consumers?

8. 5. Indicators of Producer Welfare • Access to essential services: Are firms able to easily access public service and infrastructure networks (e.g. electricity, water, etc.)? • Free movement of goods and services: Is mobility affected by policies, practices (inputs & outputs), or infrastructure constraints? • Predictability of regulatory actions: Are legislations enforced by autonomous yet accountable institutions? • Cost savings: Have new innovation, such as improved ICT tools, lead to reduction in costs?

9. 5. Indicators of Producer Welfare (contd.) • Fair market processes: Are new firms able to enter the market easily, and existing firms able to close business effectively? • Level-playing field: Is the principle of ‘competitive neutrality’ observed between private/public enterprises? • Transparency in market: Do market regulators have well laid out policies and predictable implementation processes?

10. 6. Definition of Consumer & Producer Welfare (Sector-Specific)

11. 7. Project Actors Program Level at the Head Quarters • Implementation Team • Project Advisory Committee (PAC) Country Level • Country Partner Organisation • National Reference Group (NRG) • National Entities: Competition/Sector Regulator, Business Associations, Research Organisation/CSO, Media

12. II. Project Progress & Planned Activities

13. 1. Project Progress • Inception Meeting: Countries & Sector selection • Review of literature & Fact Finding in project countries • Opening Meeting in project countries: April to May, 2013 • Outline of Diagnostic Country Report (DCR) • DCR Research Methodology • Review of DCR Methodology by PAC members

14. 2. Planned Activities • Finalise the DCR Methodology (In countries) • Identify reforms undertaken in markets • Identify relevant stakeholders/respondents • Identify benefits of reforms on consumers and producers • Identify existing concerns, reform possibilities and estimated benefits from them

15. 2. Planned Activities (contd.) • Conduct in-depth interview, perception surveys of relevant stakeholders/respondents • Data Analysis & Collation • Preparation of the draft DCR • Presentation of the draft DCR in NRG-2 meeting to get feedback

16. III. Role of NRG Members

17. 1. National Reference Group • Multi-stakeholder group of experts and practitioners • Composed of competition scholars, practitioners and sectoral stakeholders • The group would comprise about 15 members in each country • Meet periodically to discuss project progress and issues

18. 2. Role of NRG Members • Guidance & support in project implementation • Inputs in designing components of research • Review important project documents - Diagnostic Country Report, Framework for Competition Promotion (FCP), etc. • Access to country-specific network of institutions for data (literature, statistics, market environment, etc.) and project application tools • Participate in project meetings • CREW findings would help them in their own work agenda

19. 3. NRG Meetings & Timelines

20. 3. NRG Meetings & Timelines (contd.)

21. Thank You! www.cuts-ccier.org/CREW