“Without motivating politicians, appropriate regulation and enforcement of competition regimes is not possible. Such enforcement is in turn important for both product quality as well as price.” These were the words of M. A. Razzaque, Economic Advisor to the Commonwealth Secretariat.
Mr. Razzaque was speaking on the occasion of a one day international conference entitled “Political Economy of Competition and Regulation in Developing Countries” organised by CUTS International in partnership with Commonwealth Secretariat in Jaipur. Around 50 participants, from developed as well as developing countries, participated in the event.
Earlier, while opening the conference, Pradeep S. Mehta, Secretary General, CUTS International elaborated on the need to combat powerful lobbies blocking the effective enforcement of competition regimes and independent regulation. The actions of these lobbies invariably compromise consumer interest by creating shortages and leading to high prices, he said.
The rest of the conference was devoted to deliberation on ways and means for making competition authorities and independent regulators more effective, specifically those which blunted the impact of lobby groups and improved coordination mechanisms.
For further information please contact:
Vikash Batham, CUTS International
Cell: +91 94607 07005
Email: vb@cuts.org