Public
FTAA.ngcp/com/19
January 24, 2003
Original: Spanish
Translation: FTAA Secretariat
FTAA - NEGOTIATING GROUP ON COMPETITION POLICY
Nineteenth Meeting
Panama, January 21-24, 2003
PRESS COMMUNIQUÉ
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The Nineteenth Meeting of the Negotiating Group on Competition Policy (NGCP) was
held in Panama from 21 to 24 January 2003. In attendance were representatives
from the following 20 countries of the Hemisphere:
Argentina, Bahamas, Bolivia, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica,
Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Guatemala, Jamaica, Mexico, Panama, Paraguay,
Peru, Trinidad and Tobago, United States, Uruguay, and Venezuela.
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The meeting proceeded in accordance with the following agenda
and completed several tasks, including the following:
The Work Program was modified to include two more meetings: one in July and
the other, August. This change will be raised at the next TNC so as to make
progress in reaching consensuses on the Draft Chapter.
In the same vein, progress was made in reaching consensus on issues tackled
in the Draft Chapter on Competition Policy, such as market regulatory policies
and measures, state aids, non discriminatory treatment, due process,
transparency, definitions and principles, confidentiality and technical
assistance.
Finally, 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 completed the information requested were urged to do
so in a timely manner. The Chair assumed the responsibility for consolidating
the information.
FTAA - NEGOTIATING GROUP ON COMPETITION POLICY Nineteenth
Meeting
Panama City, January 21-24, 2003
AGENDA
- Discussion of the proposed Work Plan in accordance with the new Schedule of
Meetings.
- Delivery by delegations of the questionnaire for countries that do not have
competition laws, after being duly completed and with the information for the
Inventory of Domestic Laws and Regulations Relating to Competition Policy in the
Western Hemisphere.
- Work towards eliminating brackets from Articles 2.1, 2.5, 1.2, 1.7, 1.8, 9,
8, 6.1, and 6.2 of the draft Chapter on Competition Policy, in accordance with
the new Work Plan.
- Considerations of Civil Society contributions.
- Other business
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