Public
FTAA.ngcp/com/21/Rev.1
June 25, 2003

Original: Spanish
Translation: FTAA Secretariat

PRESS COMMUNIQUÉ
 

1. The Twenty-First Meeting of the Negotiating Group on Competition Policy (NGCP) was held in Puebla from 16 to 20 June 2003. In attendance were representatives from the following 16 countries in the hemisphere:   
   
   Argentina, Bahamas, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Mexico, Panama, Peru, Trinidad and Tobago, United Status, and Venezuela.

2. The meeting proceeded in accordance with the attached agenda, and several tasks were completed, including the following:
   
   • The Chair briefly addressed the delegates on the results of the meeting held on 16 June 2003 between the Co-Chairs of the Trade Negotiations Committee (TNC) and the FTAA Entity Chairs in preparation for the Fourteenth TNC, including the progress made in the work of the negotiations, the Hemispheric Cooperation Program (HCP), and the guidance received from the Technical Committee on Institutional Issues (TCI).
     
     
   • Progress was made in reaching consensus on topics in the Draft Chapter on Competition Policy related to Competition Law, Legal or Designated Monopolies, State Enterprises, State Aids, Confidentiality, and General Provisions The delegates also examined the provisions in the text related to Mechanisms for Cooperation and the Exchange of Information, and Dispute Settlement. In addition, the NGCP made progress with regards to the simplification and reorganization of the structure of the Chapter.
     
     
   • Additional responses to the questionnaire for countries that do not have competition laws were received from several countries of the region, and the countries that have not yet provided all the information requested were urged to do so on time. Also, a request was made for the information on the Inventory of Domestic Laws and Regulations Relating to Competition Policy in the Western Hemisphere to be updated.
      
   • The delegations were urged to continue to provide information for drawing up National Action Plans within the context of the Hemispheric Cooperation Program.
      
   • The group also received Civil Society Contributions from several organizations, and these drew various comments.
      
   • The NGCP was encouraged to submit proposals for the upcoming TNC meetings that have been scheduled for July and September 2003, in preparation for the next Ministerial Meeting which is to be held in November 2003.
      
   • The Group decided to request an extension of its next work session from 18 to 22 August.

3. The Chair of the NGCP attended a meeting of the Consultative Group on Smaller Economies, at the invitation of the Chair of the latter, and made a presentation on the progress achieved in the NGCP in areas of concern to these economies.