-Summary report of the third meeting and the draft outline of the fourth meeting-

Australia; Chile; China; Hong Kong, China; Indonesia; Japan; Korea; Malaysia; Mexico; New Zealand; Papua New Guinea; Peru; Philippines; Russia; Singapore; Chinese Taipei; Thailand; the United States of America; and Viet Nam.

Experts from the OECD and UNCTAD also participated as panelists.

3. At this meeting we focused on a smaller number of issues and took greater time for discussion than at the previous meetings (see Annex 1 for details). As a result, the participants expressed general satisfaction with the program, pointing out that the program helped promote a common understanding on, and helped develop human resources relating to, many key competition policy issues. On the other hand, some suggestions were made for a more fruitful outcome at the next meeting. The first suggestion was to arrange a couple of sub-group meetings where participants could discuss specific issues in an in-depth manner. The second suggestion was to use more case studies in panel presentations. The third was to deal explicitly with the issue of the relationship between competition policy and other economic policy objectives, including economic development. Participants showed particular interest in this issue in their discussions at this meeting. The fourth suggestion was to shorten the duration of the meeting from four days to three days. The draft course outline of the next meeting reflects these useful suggestions (See Annex 2).

Chiangmai, Thailand, March 1-4, 1999

D a y 1 ( 1 March, Mon. Chair : Phisit Setthawong, Thailand)

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D a y 2 ( 2 March, Tue. Chair : Jiro Tamura, Professor of Law, Keio University, Japan )

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D a y 3 ( 3 March, Wed. Chair : Carl Buik, Australia)

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D a y 4 ( 4 March, Thu. Chair : Geoff Connor, NZ )

( Draft Course Outline )

1. DATES

14 through 16 March 2000

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2. VENUE

Bangkok, Thailand

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3. EXPECTED PARTICIPANTS AND NUMBER

Approximately three persons per developing member economy, who are at a division director or deputy division director level at agencies responsible for competition policy in member economies, may attend the program.

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4. PROVISIONAL AGENDA

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��	AM (9:30-12:00)	PM (14:00-16:30)	PM(18:00-)
DAY 1	Opening Session Plenary Session	Plenary Session	Welcome Party
DAY 2	Small Group Meetings	Small Group Meetings	��
DAY 3	Small Group Meetings	Plenary Session Evaluation /Closing Sessions	Farewell Party

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[ Day 1 plenary sessions ]

In the morning plenary session the topic will be the relationship between competition policy and other economic policy objectives including economic development.

In the afternoon session the topic will be ways and means to address anti-competitive practices with international dimensions (e.g., cooperation between appropriate authorities, international framework), including cases. In addition, the chairperson will invite each small group moderator to give a brief explanation of the aim and issues to be dealt with at his/her group meeting (see below).

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[ Day 2 and 3 small group meetings ]

Three small groups will meet concurrently during Day 2 and the morning of Day3 to allow for an in-depth analysis and discussion of specific issues. Each group will focus on a specific topic and may involve the discussion of case studies. Prospective topics are

1. effective ways to investigate and eliminate cartels (e.g., investigation methods, sanctions, case studies)
2. how to deal with a dominant company (e.g., types of practice to be prohibited, evaluation criteria, case studies),

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3. how to deal with mergers (e.g., necessity of merger regulations, evaluation of legality/illegality, procedures (merger filing), case studies).

One person from each economy will be welcome to attend each group meeting.

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[ Day 3 plenary session ]

A summary of the discussion at the small group meetings will be reported by the moderators, followed by free discussion.

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5. METHODOLOGY

1) Method

Day 1 plenary sessions and small group meetings will be conducted in the form of panel presentation and discussions. The active contribution of developing member economies would be of great importance to ensuring a result.

2) Language

English

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6. ALLOWANCE AND EXPENSES

The Government of Japan will provide lodging, daily allowance, health insurance, and transportation and boarding expenses for participants from member economies that are classified in Part I of the DAC List of Aid Recipients in 1999. Other participants are requested to bear all expenses on their own.