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Daily Schedule Student Challenge in Competition Opening Session Plenary and Thematic Sessions Special Event Closing Session Documents Media Corner EVALUATION & RECOMMENDATIONS

Overview

In 2020, the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia (ESCWA), in partnership with United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) and the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), launched the Annual Competition Forum for the Arab Region, with the aim of establishing an up-to-date knowledge-sharing platform on competition policy and enforcement for Arab stakeholders. The Forum provides a platform for advancing knowledge and best practices in competition and facilitating coordination and cooperation at national, regional and international levels.

The 3rd Arab Competition Forum is organized in partnership with UNCTAD, OECD, the International Trade Center (ITC), the League of Arab States (LAS), and the Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Investment promotion of the Sultanate of Oman. The two-day event will build on the momentum of the first and second Fora. Competition authorities, government officials, experts and academics, from both within and beyond the region, will gather to discuss the future of competition policy in the Arab region.

The objectives of the 3rd Annual Competition Forum for the Arab Region are to:

  • Provide a substantive contribution towards improving economic growth and governance in the Arab region, in line with the Sustainable Development Goals;
  • Strengthen cooperation and coordination between competition authorities in ESCWA Member States;
  • Inform competition policymaking and enforcement in the Arab region, guided by international best practices.



Daily Schedule

Day 1 | 24 May 2022

Session-DAY-1 Download

Day 2 | 25 May 2022

Session-DAY-2 Download

1. Student Challenge in Competition

Over the past decade, the rise of digital technologies has made the online market become a core tissue of the global economic fabric. Especially after the Covid-19 mobility restrictions, many businesses have been forced to shift online, accelerating the growing trend of e-commerce and digitalization. As such, the global market has recently undergone many structural transformations that have raised concerns in many issues surrounding the competitive environment in which businesses operate.

The topic of competition in the online market is relatively new. As such, there is a lack of studies in the region that provide an overview and analysis of the issues underlying the competitive environment in the Arab region. Hence, this challenge provides an opportunity for universities to dig into the yet limited explored field in the Arab region, laying the foundation for advocacy and interest in the pressing research topic. Therefore, the Arab Competition Forum Student Challenge offers a unique opportunity for undergraduate and graduate students to wade into the field of competition.

For the 3rd Annual Competition Forum special event, university students majoring in economics-related studies in the Arab region are challenged to present an original case study paper involving anti-competitive behaviors from digital platforms/enterprises. The winning groups of the challenge will have the opportunity to attend the forum and receive the award in a special event scheduled on the first day.

The objectives of the challenge include:

  • Increasing awareness and understanding of the field of competition for students, especially under the online market;
  • Engage students in the dialogue and research of the pressing topics of competition in the Arab region;
  • Build relationships between researchers, academics, and competition authorities;
  • Add to the literature of studies on competition and the online market.






Register for the challenge


We have extended the registration period until 12 March!




Submit your Paper


The period for paper submission has been extended until 7 May, the registration period until 12 March!

Submit your paper during the period 24-28 April 2022

2. Opening Session

Welcoming remarks



H.E. Qais Mohammed Moosa Al Yousef

Minister of Commerce, Industry and Investment Promotion, Sultanate of Oman

More Info View Biography
Dr. Rola Dashti

Under-Secretary-General of the United Nations and Executive Secretary of the Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia (ESCWA)

More Info View Biography
H.E. Mr. Ahmed Aboul Gheit

Secretary General of the League of Arab States

More Info View Biography

3. Plenary and Thematic Sessions

Day 1

Session I: Competition and Economic Policy Dialogue
watch session

Date and time (Muscat Time – UTC+4)
Tuesday, 24 May, 9:45 - 11:15
Session coordinator: ESCWA
Format: Hybrid/Broadcasted live

Synopsis: This session is a discussion between reputed economists, policymakers and experts on competition policy and the interlinkages between other economic policies. The discussion also sheds light on the importance of competition policy in achieving sustainable growth and development.

Moderator

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Tarik Alami, Cluster Leader, Governance & Enabling Environment, ESCWA

Speakers

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Professor Frédéric Jenny, Chairman, OECD Competition Committee, France
Presentation download

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Mary T. Coleman, Executive Vice President, Compass Lexecon, United States

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Abel Mateus, Professor of Economics at New University of Lisbon Portugal
Presentation download

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Dhafer bin Awad Al Shanfari, Former Deputy Chairman and Acting CEO of the Omani Competition Promotion and Monopoly Prevention Centre Oman

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Hamid Sultan Al-Busaidi, Executive Director, Oman Centre for Governance and Sustainability, Sultanate of Oman

Session Flyer download

List of Biographies download

Background Note download

Session II: Competition Developments in the Arab Region

Date and time (Muscat Time – UTC+4)
Tuesday, 24 May, 11:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. (Lunch break at 1 p.m.)
Session coordinator: LAS and ESCWA
Closed session

Synopsis: Competition authorities from Member States present national case studies and/or competition developments since the 2nd Annual Competition Forum for the Arab Region in March 2021. LAS is presenting the latest projects and tools developed through the year in support of competitive policies and practices.

Session Flyer download

List of Biographies download


Day 2

Session I. Competition in the Online Market: E-commerce and Digitalization
watch session [ coming soon ]

Date and time (Muscat Time – UTC+4)
Wednesday, 25 May, 9:00 - 10:15
Session coordinator: OECD and ITC
Format: Hybrid/ZOOM

Synopsis: Experts present best practices and lessons learned to build sound competition policies in light of the different competition challenges emerging from the online market. Competition authorities from the Arab region and beyond are invited to present specific national case studies on the topic.

Moderator

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Lynn Robertson, Competition Expert, OECD

Speakers

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Lilia Naas, Chief, Office for Arab States, International Trade Centre

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Antonio Capobianco, Senior Competition Expert, OECD
Presentation download

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Pinar Akman, Professor of Laws, Leeds University
Presentation download

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Robert Anderson, ITC Consultant, former Team Leader for Competition Policy in the WTO Secretariat
Presentation download

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Kayvan Hazemi-Jebelli, Competition & Regulatory Counsel at CCIA Europe
Presentation download

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Jamil Zayed, Director, Competition Directorate at the Ministry of Industry,Trade, and Supply, Jordan

Session Flyer download

List of Biographies download

Background Note competition-e-commerce download

Session II. Assessment of the institutional capacity in competition
watch session [ coming soon ]

Date and time (Muscat Time – UTC+4)
Wednesday, 25 May, 10:30 - 11:45
Session coordinator: OECD
ZOOM/Hybrid

Synopsis:This session highlights the main institutional challenges faced by competition authorities in the Arab region and brings forward case studies and methodologies to better identify institutional gaps in the implementation of competition law and policy.

Moderator

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Teresa Moreira, Head, Competition and Consumer Policies Branch, Division on International Trade and Commodities, UNCTAD
Presentation download

Speakers

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William Kovacic, Professor, George Washington University, Non-Executive Director, United Kingdom’s Competition Authority
Presentation download

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Nathalie Khaled, Economic Affairs Officer, ESCWA
Presentation download

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Said Kechida, Competition Expert, OECD
Presentation download

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Professor Frédéric Jenny, Chairman, OECD Competition Committee, France

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Ahlem Oueslati, Vice-President of the Competition Council, Tunisia

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Mohamad Cheikhrouhou, Rapporteur Generale at the Competition Council, Tunisia

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Lama AlZughaibi, Legal Specialist, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
Presentation download

Session Flyer download

List of Biographies download

Background Note Institutional Capacity download

Session III: Competition law and policy and SMEs
watch session [ coming soon ]

Date and time (Muscat Time – UTC+4)
Wednesday, 25 May, 11:45 - 13:00
Session coordinator: UNCTAD
ZOOM/Hybrid

Synopsis: Competition policy is essential for providing a level playing field that allows for opportunities for micro and SMEs and promotes increased competitiveness and consumer welfare. In this session, experts introduce best practices and specific guidance to promote SMEs’ competitiveness and assistance in the post-COVID-19 crisis.

Moderator

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Juan Luis Crucelegui, Chief, Capacity Building and Advisory Services, Competition and Consumer Policies Branch, UNCTAD

Speakers

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Evelyn Olmedo, International Relations Officer, Superintendence of Competition, El Salvador

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Tebelelo Pule, Chief Executive Officer, Botswana Competition Authority
Presentation download

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Alanoud Alfahad, Director of the Monopolistic Investigations Department, Competition Protection Authority, Kuwait
Presentation download

Session Flyer download

List of Biographies download

Background Note SMEs download

Session IV: Competition Provisions in Trade Agreements
watch session [ coming soon ]

Date and time (Muscat Time – UTC+4)
Wednesday, 25 May, 14:00 - 14:45
Session coordinator: UNCTAD
ZOOM/Hybrid

Synopsis: During this session, experts highlight the importance of assigning adequate competition policies in trade agreements and provide best practices for the implementation of preliminary reforms to maximize the utilization of trade agreements.

Moderator

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Teresa Moreira, Head, Competition and Consumer Policies Branch, Division on International Trade and Commodities, UNCTAD
Presentation download

Speakers

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Anna Caroline Muller, Legal Affairs Officer, WTO’s Intellectual Property, Government Procurement and Competition Division
Presentation download

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Regina Vargas , Superintendent of Competition, El Salvador
Presentation download

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Nathalie Khaled, Economic Affairs Officer, ESCWA
Presentation download

Session Flyer download

List of Biographies download

Background Note download

4. Special Event

Special Session: Arab Youth in Competition
watch session

Date and time (Muscat Time – UTC+4)
Tuesday, 24 May, 7:00 p.m - 8:00 p.m
Organized by ESCWA and the Ministry of Commerce ,Industry and Investment promotion of the Sultanate of Oman
Format: Hybrid/Broadcasted live

Synopsis: Participating Omani universities were requested to prepare an original case study on the topic “Anti-competitive behaviours from digital platforms/enterprises”. The special session Arab Youth in Competition takes place as a ceremony where an award will be granted to the winners of the competition challenge. Furthermore, the winners have the opportunity to engage directly with two Arab youth competition advocates and present lessons learned and reflections on the challenge. A celebration dinner follows the ceremony.

Moderator

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Nasra Bint Sultan Ben Hafiz Al-Habsiya, Assistant Director-General of the Competition Protection and Monopoly Prevention Centre, Sultanate of Oman

Speakers

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Menna MahmoudYouth Competition Expert

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Rossi Abi-Rafeh, Ph.D. candidate at Toulouse School of Economics, Doctoral Fellow at Institute for Fiscal Studies, London

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Nathalie Khaled, Economic Affairs Officer, ESCWA
Presentation download

Session Flyer download

List of Biographies download

5. Closing Session

Closing Session
watch session [ coming soon ]

Date and time (Muscat Time – UTC+4)
Wednesday, 25 May, 15:00 p.m - 16:00 p.m
Organized by ESCWA and partners
Format: Hybrid/Broadcasted live

The closing session will include a discussion on future support provided by ESCWA and its partners to member States in competition policy and enforcement. Participants will agree on the main intervention areas needed to advance competition in the Arab region.

Speakers

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Nathalie Khaled, Economic Affairs Officer, ESCWA

6. Documents

Sessions presentations

No.
Speakers
Plenary and Thematic Sessions
Presentations
1
Professor Frédéric Jenny, Chairman, OECD Competition Committee, France
Day 1 session 1
Download
2
Abel Mateus, Professor of Economics at New University of Lisbon Portugal
Day 1 session 1
Download
3
Antonio Capobianco, Senior Competition Expert, OECD
Day 2 session 1
Download
4
Pinar Akman, Professor of Laws, Leeds University
Day 2 session 1
Download
5
Robert Anderson, ITC Consultant, former Team Leader for Competition Policy in the WTO Secretariat
Day 2 session 1
Download
6
Kayvan Hazemi-Jebelli, Competition & Regulatory Counsel at CCIA Europe
Day 2 session 1
Download
7
Teresa Moreira, Head, Competition and Consumer Policies Branch, Division
on International Trade and Commodities, UNCTAD
Day 2 session 2
Download
8
William Kovacic, Professor, George Washington University, Non-Executive Director, United Kingdom’s Competition Authority
Day 2 session 2
Download
9
Nathalie Khaled, Economic Affairs Officer, ESCWA
Day 2 session 2
Download
10
Said Kechida, Competition Expert, OECD
Day 2 session 2
Download
11
Lama AlZughaibi, Legal Specialist, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
Day 2 session 2
Download
12
Tebelelo Pule, Chief Executive Officer, Botswana Competition Authority
Day 2 session 3
Download
13
Alanoud Alfahad, Director of the Monopolistic Investigations Department,
Competition Protection Authority, Kuwait
Day 2 session 3
Download
14
Teresa Moreira, Head, Competition and Consumer Policies Branch,
Division on International Trade and Commodities, UNCTAD
Day 2 session 4
Download
15
Anna Caroline Muller, Legal Affairs Officer, WTO’s Intellectual Property,
Government Procurement and Competition Division
Day 2 session 4
Download
16
Regina Vargas , Superintendent of Competition, El Salvador
Day 2 session 4
Download
17
Nathalie Khaled, Economic Affairs Officer, ESCWA
Day 2 session 4
Download

Sessions Background Notes

No.
Background Notes
Plenary and Thematic Sessions
Download
1
Competition and socioeconomic policy
Day 1 session 1
Download
2
Competition in the online market: e-commerce and digitalization
Day 2 session 1
Download
3
Assessment of Institutional Capacity in Competition
Day 2 session 2
Download
4
Competition law and policy and SMEs
Day 2 session 3
Download
5
Competition provisions in trade agreements in the Arab region
Day 2 session 4
Download

7. Media Corner

Social Media


Join the Arab Competition Hub Linkedin group

Powered by UN-ESCWA, the Arab Competition Hub Linkedin group seeks to connect stakeholders involved in the field of Competition in the Arab region and across the world, including competition authorities, experts, academics, and other professionals in the private sector, with the purpose of sharing knowledge, experience, and best practices, and thus, facilitating dialogue. Join the group here: https://www.linkedin.com/groups/14037017/

Ask ESCWA experts, Nathalie Khaled, Economic Affairs officer

Ms. Nathalie Khaled, coordinator of the Competition and Consumer Protection Project at ESCWA, talks about the third Arab Competition Forum, which was held in Muscat, Sultanate of Oman, on May 24 and 25, and the most prominent recommendations that emerged from it, and the importance of competition for the economies of the region.

Section I. Promotional Videos and Posts:
Promotional Video 1
  1. Arabic
    • promotional Video 1 [instagram] link 1
    • promotional Video 2 [Facebook] link 2

  2. English
Promotional post 2
  1. Arabic and English
Promotional post 3, Save the date
  1. Arabic and English
  2. English
  3. Arabic
Promotional post 4, Save the date
  1. Arabic and English
Promotional Post 5
Promotional Post 6
Promotional Post 7 Save the date
Promotional Post, press conference
  1. Arabic and English
Section II. Nathalie Khaled’s Interview with Al-Horra TV:
Section III. Short Interviews with Participants and Experts on the sidelines of the forum:
  1. Arabic
    • [Twitter] Interview with Mohamad Abu Haidar, Director General of Economy & Trade, Lebanon. link
    • [Twitter] Interview with Al Anoud Al-Fahad, Director of the Monopolistic Investigations Department, Competition Protection Authority, Kuwait. link
  2. English
    • [Twitter] Interview with Professor Frederic Jenny, Chairman, OECD Competition Committee, France. link
Section IV. ESCWA short interview with H.E. Mr. Ahmed Aboul Gheit: (Arabic)
  1. Arabic
Section V. Quotes by Dr. Rola Dashti, Under-Secretary-General of the United Nations and Executive Secretary of the Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia (ESCWA), during the opening speech on 24 May:
  1. Arabic
  2. English
Section VII. “Happening Now” Posts / Last Reminder to Join the sessions:
  1. Day 1
  2. Day 2
Section VIII. Key messages:
Section IX. Concluding Posts of Day 1 of the Forum:
  1. English
  2. Arabic
Section X. Concluding Posts of Day2 of the forum:
  1. English
  2. Arabic
Section XI. “The status and future of Arab competition from the participants' point of view” video in Arabic
Section XII. Student Competition Challenge videos and posts
  1. English
  2. Arabic
Section XIII. Recording of sessions
  1. Opening session
  2. Day1, Session1
  3. Youth session
Section XIV. A note of thanks and gratitude to His Majesty the Sultan, submitted by the participants in the Third Arab Competition Forum
Section XV. Articles related to the forum
  1. Arabic

Photo Gallery

8. Evaluation & Recommendations

Evaluation form