A new UNCTAD publication highlights the experiences of five Latin American countries in strengthening their competition and consumer protection policies, widely considered to be a key determinant of economic efficiency and consumer welfare. Strengthening Institutions and Capacities in the Area of Competition and Consumer Protection Policies in Latin America: Cases of Bolivia, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Honduras, Guatemala, Nicaragua and Peru(1) addresses two main issues: the role of competition and consumer protection in promoting development, and the relationship between regulatory bodies and competition agencies. The latter will be of particular interest to those countries that have not yet enacted competition laws but that have begun formulating and adopting laws and regulations governing specific sectors.
A major lesson that can be drawn from the experiences described in the publication is that countries should progress in the field of competition and consumer law and policies at their own pace and adopt competition laws and policies tailored to their own needs. The publication looks at how anti-competitive practices have been dealt with both in countries that already have competition laws and policies in place and in those that do not.
The publication was prepared as part of UNCTAD´s three-year technical assistance programme on competition and consumer protection policies for Latin America (COMPAL), which is supported by the Swiss State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO). The ultimate goal of the programme is to provide developing countries with tools to benefit from competition policies in their markets and to attain consumer welfare through lower prices, better quality and a wider variety of choice for consumers.
The publication will also contribute to the preparatory process for the Fifth UN Conference to Review All Aspects of the Set of Multilaterally Agreed Equitable Principles and Rules for the Control of Restrictive Business Practices, to be held in Antalya, Turkey, from 14 to 18 November.
Endnotes
1. Fortalecimiento de instituciones y capacidades en el área de Políticas de Competencia y Protección del Consumidor: Casos de Bolivia, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Honduras, Guatemala, Nicaragua y Perú (UNCTAD/DITC/CLP/2004/3, currently available in Spanish only).
