Competition authorities from around the world send clear message on convergence

Kyoto, April 16, 2008 – Competition authorities from around the world agreed to further their cooperation following the International Competition Network’s (ICN) 7th Annual Conference, which ended today.

ICN members agreed to new recommended practices and adopted new practical tools to help agencies do their work better in a globalized economy.

“The success of the conference demonstrated again the power of coming together to work through the issues we all face as competition agencies,” said Sheridan Scott, Chair of the ICN Steering Group.

Notable accomplishments adopted at the meeting include:

• Recommended Practices on the Assessment of Dominance, Substantial Market Power and the Application of Unilateral Conduct Rules to State-Created Monopolies;
  
  
• New anti-cartel enforcement papers addressing Interviewing and Cartel Settlements;
  
  
• The completion of Recommended Practices for Merger Analysis and a report, Setting Notification Thresholds for Merger Review;
  
  
• Implementation of a partnership program to facilitate exchanges and experience.

Over 500 delegates, representing over 70 agencies took part in this year’s conference. The next conference will be held from June 3rd to 5th, 2009 in Zurich, Switzerland.

The ICN is an informal network of competition agencies from developed and developing countries, with the common aim of addressing practical antitrust enforcement and policy issues. It is a results-based, project-oriented organisation. ICN work takes place in practical working groups, with members and non-governmental advisors conducting discussions, typically via teleconference or e-mail. Members convene annually to discuss working group projects and their implications for enforcement.

For more information, please visit the ICN Web site at www.internationalcompetitionnetwork.org

For media enquiries, please contact:
Marilyne Nahum
Communications Advisor
Competition Bureau Canada
External Relations and Public Affairs Branch
1-819-953-9760