I. FOURTH MEETING
A. Participants
Under the framework of the "PFP" (Partners for Progress) initiative in APEC, the Japan Fair Trade Commission and the Thai Department of Internal Trade coordinate a five-year training program on competition policy since the fiscal year 1996.

The fourth PFP took place in Bangkok on 14-16 March this year. 50 plus experts from 18 APEC economies gathered for the meeting. They were mainly operational level staff of competition agencies as well as some academics and business people familiar with competition law. OECD and UNCTAD also participated in the meeting.

B. Program
The fourth meeting was characterized by its small group sessions that were met concurrently. This was the first time to introduce small group sessions in this PFP initiative, aiming at more in-depth analyses and interactive discussion on particular topics. Since most of the APEC economies have adopted a national competition law, topics chosen were not fundamental aspects of competition law but actual enforcement issues, namely ways to detect or regulate a) cartels, b) abuse of dominance position and c) mergers respectively.

C. Results
In small group sessions, most attendants made brief presentation, some using cases. Thanks to active contribution of participants and well organizing of the moderators, it was broadly found that the discussion was interactive and fruitful. Participants stressed the need to maintain small group sessions next time.

Based on the favorable evaluation of the meeting, many useful suggestions have been made for further improvement of the program: first, it would be beneficial to use cases in an intensive manner. Second, different stages of policy development and diverse circumstances among member economies should be taken into account in the agenda setting. Third, it would be better to keep more time for discussion. Fourth, sub topics should be assigned in each small group session to deliver the specifics of the topic designated and to guide discussion in an efficient manner. And last but not the least, it was suggested that problems in competition law enforcement should be addressed not only in the light of strengthening technical skills of competition agencies but also of educating industrial circles and consumers. In this respect, the JFTC would like to propose the draft outline of fifth PFP meeting as follows:

II. FIFTH MEETING
A. Dates
13(Tuesday)- 15(Thursday) March 2001

B. Place
Bangkok, Thailand

C. Program

1. Plenary session [13 Mar]
This session aims at helping member economies enact or improve their competition legislation, taking into account their socio-economic circumstances. Topics could include
a) current state of play in developing competition legislation in the region (e.g., pattern of legislation and its economic and social connection), and
b) perspectives of further development and convergence

2. Small group meetings [13-14 Mar]
Three small groups will meet concurrently on 13-14 Mar to allow for an in-depth analysis and interactive discussion on particular topics. Participants will discuss effective ways to achieve the following objectives:

Group 1: Enhancing skills to detect cartels and to regulate mergers
Group 2: Ensuring compliance and cooperation in competition law enforcement (how to educate industrial circles and consumers)
Group 3: Promoting competition in regulated sectors or state enterprises

It should be considered to have a couple of sub-topics in each small group meeting to help guiding discussion.

It is vital that each presentation in small group meetings includes cases or national experience to facilitate discussion. Active contribution of participants is also of great importance to ensure a result.

3. Plenary session [15 Mar]
Reports will be made by small group moderators, followed by free discussion.

4. Evaluation session/ future cooperation program [15 Mar]
Participants will evaluate the three-day program, which is supposed to be the final opportunity in the framework of PFP in APEC. They may also discuss benefits received from PFP courses during the last five years and make any request for future cooperation program on competition policy.

D. Expected Participants
Each member economy is allowed to send in principle three persons to the training course. Participants will be operational-level staff of competition agencies. It might be appropriate for those economies that have no competition legislation to send high-level officials in the relevant authorities, with a view to getting an image of competition law and policy. Participants are requested to participate actively in small group meetings. They can change the small group to attend in the course of discussion, based on their interest.

E. 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 as of 1 January 2000. Other participants are requested to bear all expenses of their own.

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