Competition Policies In Emerging Economies

As countries large and small, rich and poor are drawn inexorably into the global economy, protectionist policies are proving increasingly inefficient and ineffective for driving growth. The countries of Latin America, which have long pursued agendas of state ownership and heavy regulation of key industries, began to institute a series of reforms in the 1980s and 1990s, designed to promote competition and business creation. However, without the legal and institutional framework to support these policies (and thus guarantee resource-efficient behavior on the part of business owners), the record has been spotty at best. Competition Policies in Emerging Economies features in-depth analysis of two key industries—telecommunications and banking—in several Central American nations to shed light on the dynamics of the transition to deregulation and trade liberalization, and learn from the experiences of these economies. This book has a three-fold purpose: (1) to examine the competition conditions and policies of small developing countries of Central America (and hence cover an area where very little information exists); (2) develop an in-depth analysis of regulation and competition policies in two key industrial sectors with poor competition records (telecommunications and banking); (3) link the former results analysis with other international experiences, in order to derive research and policy recommendations that can be applied to other small, developing, and emerging economies. Featuring discussion of political, legal, economic, financial, cultural, and organization-level issues, the book provides unique perspectives on the forces resisting competitive practices and offers suggestions for overcoming them.

"This book demonstrates the importance of true and fair competition to sustainable development and an effective marketplace, touching on issues of globalization, consumer welfare, cartels and monopolies, and trade liberalization. It provides an introduction to competition, and to competition law and policy in developing countries. It focuses on the practical problems faced in developing countries and the steps that have been and can be taken to overcome those problems. It is about anticompetitive practices as they occur in developing countries and the policies that governments and citizens can promote and implement to limit the impact of such practices." "The book will be of particular interest to consumer groups and NGOs, as well as to government officials, legislators, trade negotiators, and the judiciary. Educators, students, development professionals, and business groups will also find the book useful."--BOOK JACKET.

Michal Gal's thorough analysis shows the effects of market size on competition policy, ranging from rules of thumb to more general policy prescriptions, such as goals and remedial tools. Competition policy in small economies is becoming increasingly important, since the number of small jurisdictions adopting such policy is rapidly growing. Gal's focus extends beyond domestic competition policy to the evaluation of the current trend toward the worldwide harmonization of policies.

Annotation The Bank continues its search for new ways to improve the efficiency of infrastructure services in emerging economies by increasing competitiveness and promoting regional integration. Examples are drawn from Latin America and specific European industries. There is no index. Distributed in the US by The Johns Hopkins University Press. Annotation 2004 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com).

This book examines the extent to which competition law and policy could be employed to promote the efficient allocation of resources in resource-dependent developing economies. Its background inquiry into competition policy and the analysis of economic problems of resource-dependent developing economies inspired by global competition trends in the United States and Europe provide an indispensable framework for understanding competition policy and current attitudes to regulation in a liberalised developing economy. The book provides a systematic exposition of some of the problems associated with resource-dependent economies and the implications for competition and what kinds of conduct in which firms can and cannot engage. In addition to building on basic competition and antitrust concepts, it offers insights into some prevailing problems, which include the issue of ‘resource curse’, rent-seeking, corruption, and abusive business practices, among others. Their examination here is aligned with scrutiny of the characteristics of developing countries in contrast to developed countries; Nigeria is taken as a proxy for resource-dependent developing countries. The book also determines whether competition law and policy could be used as a tool for addressing competition problems that may exist in resource-dependent developing countries. This book provides meaningful material for both undergraduate and graduate business school programs. In addition, it will be of great interest to lawyers, historians, economists, sociologists, and policy makers in both government and business who wish to understand competition issues in a clear and rigorous way in developing economies.

Sustainable economic development has played a major role in the decline of global poverty in the past two decades. There is no doubt that competitive markets are key drivers of economic growth and productivity. They are also valuable channels for consumer welfare. Competition policy is a powerful tool for complementing efforts to alleviate poverty and bring about shared prosperity. An effective competition policy involves measures that enable contestability and firm entry and rivalry, while ensuring the enforcement of antitrust laws and state aid control. Governments from emerging and developing economies are increasingly requesting pragmatic solutions for effective competition policy implementation, as well as recommendations for pro-competitive sectoral policies. A Step Ahead: Competition Policy for Shared Prosperity and Inclusive Growth puts forward a research agenda that advocates the importance of market competition, effective market regulation, and competition policies for achieving inclusive growth and shared prosperity in emerging and developing economies. It is the result of a global partnership and shared commitment between the World Bank Group and the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). Part I of the book brings together existing empirical evidence on the benefits of competition for household welfare. It covers the elimination of anticompetitive practices and regulations that restrict competition in key markets and highlights the effects of competition on small producers and employment. Part II of the book focuses on the distributional effects of competition policies and how enforcement can be better aligned with shared prosperity goals.