Derestricted
FTAA.sme/inf/110
August 12, 2003
Original: Spanish
Translation: FTAA Secretariat
FTAA – CONSULTATIVE GROUP ON SMALLER ECONOMIES
PARAGUAY
SPECIFIC PROJECT PROFILE WITHIN THE
FRAMEWORK OF THE HEMISPHERIC
COOPERATION PROGRAM – RELATED TO COMPETITION POLICY
Introduction
Projects that are presented must be consistent with the principles, objectives,
and general characteristics of the Hemispheric Cooperation Program.
- Project Title
Upgrading institutional capacity for the formulation, approval, and
implementation of national competition legislation. Training programs for public
officials, parliamentarians, and civil society.
- Background
Paraguay does not yet have a national competition law, due to unavoidable
limitations in human and financial resources and the absence of a culture of
competition. A bill was completed at the technical level in 2002 and is
currently being reviewed by the Executive prior to submission to Parliament.
Technical assistance is required, however, to avoid delays in Parliamentary
approval of the law, and could involve specific training programs for
parliamentarians, public officials, and key representatives of civil society on
the provisions, objectives, and benefits of a national competition law.
- Rationale
This technical assistance project will enable Paraguay to upgrade the technical
capacity of officials who will be responsible for the application of the future
competition law, and contribute to reducing Paraguay’s current limitations, such
as a lack of human resources with expertise in this area, a shortage of
financial resources, and delays in parliamentary approval of the law, which is
particularly due to a lack of awareness, by parliamentarians and civil society
in general, of a culture of competition.
- Project Objectives
- General
Approval of Paraguay’s competition law bill.
Training for parliamentarians, public officials, and civil society on the
culture of competition.
- Specific (if applicable)
(objectives must be presented in a very precise manner)
- Inputs1 : Resources Required for the Project
Resources to finance the organization of, and participation in, national
and international seminars or courses, as well as financing for training
programs for officials in the competition offices of other countries with more
experience in this area, etc.
- Expected Results
- Public officials, parliamentarians, and civil society are trained in
competition policy.
- Parliament approves Paraguay’s bill on competition law within the short term.
- Paraguay implements trade commitments derived from the FTAA (a Law exists).
- Paraguay adapts to integration.
- Paraguay is prepared to access all the benefits derived from the FTAA.
- Other Relevant Information
Note: In the event that two or more project profiles are proposed, please
present in order of priority.
1 If information is available.
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