What Type of Competition Policy and Law Should a Developing Country Have? 1

Abstract

This article addresses a crucial policy question—what sort of a competition law and policy should a developing country have? The underlying thesis that we embrace is that the development dimension is key. The article looks at the objectives of competition law and policy across countries, followed by a discussion of key competition policy concerns that have bearing on consumer welfare, economic efficiency and competitiveness of domestic enterprises. It also provides a brief sketch on the contours of competition policy and a benchmark for the enactment and effective implementation of competition law from a developing country's perspective. The article also touches upon international competition policy issues to the extent they have a bearing on domestic competition concerns. The analysis that follows, shows that each developing country should have its sui generis com petition policy and law—tailored to suit its country-specific requirements, and that no one size fits all.