SICE - Trade Section - The Harmonization of Competition Policies Among Mercosur Countries

Trade and Integration

The Trade Section of the DTT supports the efforts of Member States to promote economic diversification and integration, trade liberalization, and market access that can lead, through expanded market and investment opportunities, to enhanced economic development, job creation, and poverty reduction.

The Harmonization of Competition Policies Among Mercosur Countries 1

^{©Copyright 1997 Organization of American States

José Tavares de Araujo Jr.

Luis Tineo

Organization of American States

Trade Section, July 1997

Abstract

This paper analyzes the institutional innovations that are expected from
the recent Mercosur protocol on competition policy. At the national level, the protocol
constitutes a new driving force toward the conclusion of the ongoing economic reforms in
the member countries. At the regional level, it provides an additional instrument for
controlling the imbalances of the integration process. However, since competition policy
is a new subject in the region, the attainment of these potentialities will imply a long
term cooperation effort among Mercosur governments. The results of this experience will
affect the debate about antitrust issues in other forums like the FTAA and the WTO.

Table of Contents

Introduction

Institutional
Reform, Economic Integration and Transparency

Toward
a Regional Competition Policy: The Protocol for the Defense of Competition

Conclusion

Footnotes

References

Mr. Tavares de Araujo
has previously held positions with the Brazilian government, as well as the
Inter-American Development Bank and the United Nations Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean. He has a Ph.D. from London University.
Luis Tineo,
Consultant. Mr. Tineo was previously general counsel to the Venezuelan Ministry of
Economic Planning. Prior to joining the Trade Section he was with the Inter-American
Development Bank.

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