May 30:
09:30-10:00 Welcome remarks by the International Competition Network, the Competition Bureau of Canada and the Norwegian Competition Authority.
10:00-13:00 Morning session (including break, open to compeition agencies only)
Case studies: Abuse in digital markets.
Academic lead: Lars Sørgard
Digital markets may exhibit certain characteristics that cause a single firm or a small number of firms to dominate the entire market. The session will discuss how competition agencies have investigated abuse allegations in these markets.
Speakers/Discussants:
– Antonio Buttà, Chief Economist, Italian Competition Authority
– Payal Malik, Head of Economics Division, Competition Commission of India
– Khalirendwe Ranenyeni, Principal Economist, Competition Commission South Africa
13:00-14:00 Lunch
14:00-17:00 Afternoon session (including break, open to competition agencies only)
Case studies: Digital mergers.
Academic lead: Thibaud Vergé
Investigating mergers in digital markets means having to deal with many issues from a new perspective, such as market definition, theories of harm, and potential competition.
Speakers/Discussants:
– Julie Bon, Deputy Chief Economic Adviser, Competition and Markets Authority (United Kingdom)
– Ted Rosenbaum, Deputy Assistant Director, Federal Trade Commission (USA)
– Anna-Lena Wassmuth, Case Handler, Federal Cartel Office (Germany)
18:00-19:00 – Evening reception at Schøtstuene
May 31:
09:00-12:00 Morning session (including break, open to competition agencies only)
Information exchange.
Academic lead: Joe Harrington
This session will discuss information practices that facilitate anticompetitive coordinated conduct but may not rise to the level of a hard core price-fixing or market-sharing agreement. Examples are information exchanges – competitors sharing prices and other commercially sensitive information either directly or through a third party – and unilateral announcements that facilitate signaling – such as public announcements (e.g., advance price announcements) and invitations to collude.
Speakers/Discussants:
– Tan Hi Lin, Senior Director (Policy and Markets), Competition and Consumer Commission (Singapore)
– Arvid Fredenberg, Chief Economist, Swedish Competition Authority
– Roar Gjelsvik, Senior Economic Adviser, Norwegian Competition Authority
12:00-13:00 Lunch
13:00- 14:30 Afternoon session (open to competition agencies and NGAs/BECCLE participants)
Discussion: Buyer-side market power.
Academic lead: Nancy Rose
Like sellers, buyers may exploit their market power which could lead to distorted market outcomes. This session will focus on buy-side market power and also touch on competition in labor markets.
Speakers/Discussants:
– Richard May, Competition Expert, Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development
– Markus von Wartburg, Chief Economist, Canadian Competition Bureau
– Şebnem Gavin, Senior Economist, Canadian Competition Bureau
14:30-15:00 Break
15:00-16:30 Afternoon session open to competition agencies and NGAs/BECCLE participants
Discussion: Coordinated effects in mergers.
Academic lead: Nathan Miller
The session will focus on the role of coordinated effects in merger review. Topics include a discussion of the theory of how mergers may have coordinated effects, as well as some cases in which coordinated effects were a concern
Speakers/Discussants:
– Guilherme Mendes Resende, Chief Economist, Administrative Council for Economic Defense (Brazil)
– Adano Wario Roba, Acting Director General, Competition Authority of Kenya
– Mark Chicu, Acting Assistant Chief, Department of Justice, Antitrust Division (USA)
Download a printable version of the program (pdf)