BAGAN, 24 November 2017 – A two-day workshop on competition policy and aviation sector was conducted on 23-24 November in Bagan to strengthen the interface between ASEAN competition and aviation regulators. During the workshop, participants discussed the roles and functions of both sets of regulatory authorities.

Highlighting the importance of the workshop, Mr Aung Min Thyke, Chair of the ASEAN Experts Group on Competition noted that “it is important to enhance the networking between competition and regulatory officials to better promote understanding of the role of competition policy in the economy and the intersection with aviation policies.”

The workshop provided participants with a background on the key elements of ASEAN competition laws and an understanding of the role of governments in curbing anti-competitive practices. Further, the workshop used case studies and practical examples specific to the aviation sector.

Mr. Viengxay Singkham, Director of Air Transport Division at the Department of Civil Aviation of Lao PDR, representing the chair of the ASEAN Transport Working Group remarked that “the workshop has been a valuable opportunity to learn about the importance of competition to markets and discuss how aviation regulators and competition authorities can work together to achieve each of our goals.”

The workshop was attended by 56 officials from the transport and competition authorities of ASEAN Member States, including representatives of airline carriers, who examined competition policy and law developments in the aviation sector and the complementarity of competition and regulatory instruments.

The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) facilitated the workshop in partnership with Myanmar’s Ministry of Commerce and the ASEAN Secretariat. The workshop was part of the Competition Law Implementation Program which is managed by the ACCC under the ASEAN-Australia-New Zealand Free Trade Area Economic Cooperation Support Programme.