ICN Chief Economist Workshop 2023

May 30:

Morning session open to competition 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.

Afternoon session 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.

Evening reception at Schøtstuene

May 31:

Morning session 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.

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.

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

Download a printable version of the program (pdf)

Go to registration form.

Registration by Friday, April 14.

Joe Harrington, (Bio)
Professor, University of Pennsylvania

Thibaud Vergé, (Bio)
Professor, ENSAE ParisTech

Nancy Rose (Bio)
Professor, Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Nathan Miller (Bio)
Professor, Georgetown University

Lars Sørgard (Bio)
Professor, NHH Norwegian School of Economics

Direct by plane
Several airlines fly to Bergen Airport Flesland (BGO) from international or national airports.

Getting to the city centre
The airport is approximately 20 km South-West of the city. There are three main public transport options from the airport to the city centre:

The Bergen Light Rail – the slowest, but cheapest and most frequent departures
The Airport Bus – faster, but more expensive
Taxi – the fastest, but most expensive

The Norwegian Airport Authority, Avinor, has a webpage with details about these options. You can find information about car rental on the same web page.

Getting to the University of Bergen Faculty of Law

The Faculty of Law is located in the city centre of Bergen, in the University of Bergen Campus area known as «Høyden». It is a 10 minute walk from the light rail stop Byparken.

Visiting address

Magnus Lagabøtes plass 1
5010 Bergen

Map of the UiB campus (pdf)

Google Maps – Faculty of Law, UiB

The Norwegian Competition Authority has made reservations at the following hotels for the period of 29 May 2023 – 31 May 2023. Booking must be done by 20 april 2023.

Thon Hotel Bristol Bergen
Price per night: NOK 1.695,-
Booking through this link: https://www.thonhotels.no/event/konkurransetilsynet—pab/

Scandic Torget Bergen
Price per night: NOK 1.790,-
For booking: https://www.scandichotels.no/ Code: BKON290523

BECCLE Competition Policy Conference 2023 will be held at the Faculty of Law, University of Bergen on June 1-2, 2023.

Visit the conference page for more information. 

For more information on Bergen Center for Competition Law and Economics (BECCLE), visit beccle.no. 

Registration and cost

Who can register for the Workshop?
Official representatives of ICN member authorities are invited to register for the Workshop.

A limited number of spots for Non-Governmental Advisors (NGAs) including competition professionals and academics, are available for afternoon sessions on May 31. We ask that NGAs obtain their nomination from the member authority prior to registering.

How do I register for the Workshop?
Representatives of ICN member authorities can register by completing the registration form.

Non-Governmental Advisors (NGAs) can register at the same address after obtaining their nomination from an ICN member authority.

Do I need to pay to register and participate in the Workshop?
There is no cost to participate in the Workshop. Lunch and refreshments during the Workshop and the Workshop Welcome reception are also complimentary.

Delegates are responsible for booking and paying for their own travel and accommodation, and other related expenses (e.g. visa costs, travel insurance, transport).

Venue and language

What is the venue for the Workshop?
The Workshop is being held at the University of Bergen Faculty of Law, Magnus Lagabøtes plass 1, 5010 Bergen.

What is the language of the Workshop?
The Workshop will be conducted in English and there will be no interpretation services provided. Workshop documents will be issued in English.

International travel

Will I need a visa to enter Norway?
Delegates are responsible for ensuring they meet any entry requirements to visit Norway.

Information on who does not need a visa to visit Norway (visa-free) can be found here.

Where can I apply for a Visa?
You can apply for a Visa at the following address: https://www.udi.no/en/

What to do in Bergen? 

https://en.visitbergen.com/

What weather can I expect?

Weather forecast

Average weater in Bergen in June

Contact information:

Toril Fotland
Norwegian Competition Authority
Phone: +47 98 48 25 57
E-mail: tofo@kt.no