Book on Competition Regimes Published by CUTS International

Competition Regimes in the World

‘Competition Regimes in the World – A Civil Society Report’, a new compilation published by CUTS International, is an attempt to map out competition regimes around the world and covers 119 countries in 119 chapters.

Each country chapter provides a glimpse of the competition scenario in the country using simple, accessible language, and exhibit information under the following broad categories:

• basic introduction and country profile;
• economic background;
• genesis and environment of competition regime;
• competition law and institutions;
• examples of anticompetitive business practices;
• sectoral regulatory regime;
• consumer protection framework; and
• future scenario.

The chapters have been written by a large number of activists, scholars, experts and practitioners.

The compilation will serve as a ready reference for readers to understand where a country stands compared to other countries in the development of competition regimes – information which is of utmost importance to the daily work of many different stakeholders, including policy-makers, academics and representatives from civil society and the private sector.

Background:

Competition is a process of economic rivalry between market players to attract customers. These market players can be multinational or domestic companies, wholesalers, retailers, or even the neighbourhood shopkeeper. In their pursuit to outdo rival enterprises, market players either adopt fair means (producing quality goods, being cost efficient, adopting appropriate technologies, etc.) or indulge in unfair measures (carrying out restrictive business practices – such as predatory pricing, exclusive dealing, tied selling, collusion, cartelisation, abuse of dominant position, etc.).

In the interest of consumers, and the economy as a whole, it is necessary to promote an environment that facilitates fair competitive outcomes in the market, and curb anticompetitive behaviour. It is essential to develop a ‘level playing field’ by putting in place appropriate policies to ensure fair and transparent competition, for the benefit of the economy and consumers.

More and more countries are waking up to the reality that a competition law is not a luxury but a necessity in the current context of liberalisation, privatisation and globalisation, especially in the developing world. In the beginning of 1990, about 30 countries had a competition law in place. Today, the number has raced to exceed 100 countries, and many more are in the process of developing and adopting competition legislation.

Most of the countries covered in this volume have competition legislation, while some are in the process of adopting one. Each of the chapters is illustrated with box stories on competition cases, which offer a good insight into the country-specific contexts.

To order a hard copy or a CD ROM, or to subscribe to the web site, please go to CUTS International's Competition Regime’s website.