Training workshop on Competition Policy and Law Implementation for LaoPDR

08:00 Registration of participants
08:30 Opening Statements, Representatives of National Economic Research Institute (NERI) and the Lao Ministry of Commerce
Session I
09:00 The Need and Rationale for a Competition Law and Policy in Lao PDR
(Dr. S. Chakravarthy / Dr. Leeber Leebouapao, NERI and Representatives of the Ministry of Commerce, Lao PDR)

  • The Idea and Principle of Economic Competition
  • Competition Policy and Competition Law and Their Relations
  • Objectives and Benefits of Applying Competition Law
  • The Lao Trade Competition Commission (structure, task, status and its position within the framework of existing legislation)
10:30 Coffee Break
10:45 Questions and Answers
12:00 Lunch
Session II
13:00 The Definition of Relevant Markets
(Dr. Deunden Nikomborirak)
The Significance of Defining Relevant Markets in Competition Case Handling

  • Relevant Product Markets and Relevant Geographical Markets
  • Common Techniques for Defining Relevant Markets
  • Examples from some selected cases
14:00 Questions and Answers
14:45 Coffee Break
Session III
15:00 The Main Areas of Competition Law Implementation
(Mr. Tzu-Shun Hu)

  • Restrictive Business Agreements (and Concerted Actions)
    • Horizontal and Vertical Agreements
    • Exemptions
  • Dominant Market Positions and the Control of Abuses
  • Control of Mergers and Acquisition
    • What is a Merger?
    • Types of Mergers and Acquisitions
    • Intentions of Mergers
    • Possible Benefits, Risks and Negative Effects of Mergers
15:45 Questions and Answers
Session IV (Day II)
09:00 The Main Areas of Competition Law Implementation
(Mr. Tzu-Shun Hu)

  • Unfair Trade Practices and Consumer Protection
  • Competition Advocacy
  • Competition Implementation in Regulated Industries
10:30 Coffee Break
10:45 Questions and Answers
12:00 Lunch
Session V
13:00 Specific Problems of Implementing Competition Law in Developing Countries
(Dr. S. Chakravarthy)

  • Economic Reforms and Transition, Privatisation
  • Market Failures, Information Asymmetries and Lack of Information
  • Bargaining power vis-à-vis Transnational Corporations (TNCs)
  • Enforcement Capacity Constraints
  • The Lao Context
14:45 Coffee Break
15:00 Questions and Answers
16:30 Conclusions and closure of the workshop