ICN-WBG Competition Advocacy Contest 2018-2019

The International Competition Network and World Bank Group are pleased to announce the launch of the ICN-WBG Competition Advocacy Contest 2018-2019. According to ICN, competition advocacy is activities of promoting a competitive environment through non-enforcement mechanisms, such as building relationships with government entities, increasing public awareness of competition’s benefits and identifying and removing anti-competitive policies and regulations.

They are looking for success stories from competition agencies, other public bodies or civil society that demonstrate the tangible results of competition advocacy regarding:

Theme 1: Understanding the effects of competition policy on poverty and inequality in both developing and developed countries
Increased competition can positively impact the welfare of less well-off households in their role as consumers, producers, and employees. However, the relationship between competition and poverty is complex and not always straightforward. Competition authorities and other relevant stakeholders may undertake advocacy initiatives to understand the effects of competition on inequality and poverty and to explain to the government and the public how competition policy can contribute to alleviate poverty and inequality.
Theme 2: Promoting competition as a tool to the fight against corruption and for an equal playing field among public and private players
Stronger market competition can be a powerful tool to fight corruption. Pro-competitive procurement rules in state-owned enterprises (SOEs) and other rules that guarantee competitive neutrality can reduce the risk of corruption and avoid bid rigging. In addition to the clear links between the fight against bid rigging and corruption in tender processes, fierce competition gives competitors the incentive to monitor and report illegal behavior in their markets, including those associated with corruption.
Theme 3: Engaging with public and private stakeholders to better grasp competition challenges posed by fast changing market dynamics
Competition authorities can be proactive and promote activities, also together with public and private stakeholders, to learn about the use of big data, blockchain, machine learning, artificial intelligence, as well as implications of these new technologies in areas other than competition (e.g.,for labor markets) in the new gig-economy.
Theme 4: Promoting competitive digital infrastructure, digital platforms and digital finance
Services in the digital economy require competition at various levels of the value chain: at the infrastructure and enabling technology level (e.g. ICT), at the digital platform level and at the ultimate service sector level. Finance is a key service to foster economic development and digital finance is one of the sectors with many recent regulatory developments that could benefit from a pro-competition design.

An independent panel will review the submissions and select the top stories. And winners and honorable mentions will be announced by March 31th, 2019.

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Benefits:

Winning applicants will be invited to present their stories at a joint ICN-World Bank Group event;
Winning stories will be featured in an ICN-World Bank Group Publication;

Please visit the official link to know more.

Requirement:

The competition is open for all.
Competition agencies, sector regulators and other government and non-government bodies promoting competition policy are welcome to apply;
If you are a government body or non-governmental organization that is not a member of the ICN, you should reach out to the ICN member in your jurisdiction to inform about your intention to participate in the contest;
Joint submissions from ICN members and governmental bodies or non-governmental organizations are encouraged;

Submitted stories must include: