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Report on the ICN Project – December 2005
As Co-chair of Subgroup 2, the Barbados Fair Trading Commission reports on the Subgroup's project which evaluates the “Lessons to be Learned fromYoung Competition Agencies”.
The project seeks to gain a better understanding of the challenges young competition agencies face and the measures used to remedy these challenges. As of December 2005 the Commission has already completed two critical steps in our workplan and is on schedule for the completion of this project.
Timeplan
The Commission commenced work on the project in September 2005 by methodology. A work plan which follows a timeline commencing September and concluding April 2006 was also established.
Initial Contact
A ‘call for volunteers’ was sent via email to ICN members with the attached workplan and revised methodology. It was explained that the project would take the form of a questionnaire/survey where participating countries would be asked approximately three questions. It was also suggested that the participating countries could possibly discuss the project as an agenda item for one of their staff meetings.
Conference Call
After some initial indication of participation by some countries, a conference call was held in October and a number of suggestions were expressed.
Pilot Test
It was decided that a Pilot test be undertaken so as to examine the practicality of the response time, methodology and survey instrument to be used in the survey. This pre-test would also be used to gauge the overall response rate to the survey. It was agreed that six countries be used for this Pilot test. Of these six countries there were four responses, all of which were sent on or before the deadline and there were no reports of any difficulties in meeting the deadlines and/or answering the questions.
The preparation of the final report was also discussed and it was agreed that this should be completed in stages.
Stage 1 – the collation of the data;
Stage2 – the interpretation and recommendations of the data with the assistance of noted academics in this field (such as Dr. Taimoon Stewart - University of West Indies, St. Augustine; Professor Andrew Downes – UWI, SALISES; Michael Nicolson Phd. – Advisor to Armenian Competition Agency and Professor A. Gavil - Howard University, USA ); and
Stage 3 – review of the report by mature competition agencies.
Launch
The project was officially launched November 14th 2005 with a deadline of January 7th 2006 for participants to respond. The ‘Request for Information Form’ was sent to approximately fifty agencies all of whom are fifteen years and under. As of this date we have received one response and three indications to respond and staff is continuing to send reminders.
Participation
If there are any other agencies which did not receive an email but wish to participate in the project we welcome your participation.
The ‘Request for Information Form’ as well as the ‘Project Work Plan’ can be seen at the link below and your responses can be forwarded to the contacts listed below.
ICN SUBGROUP 2 "EXPERIENCES OF YOUNG COMPETITION AGENCIES" HAS EXTENDED THE DEADLINE FOR THE PROJECT AND ENCOURAGES PERSONS TO STILL SEND RESPONSES. IN THE INTERIM THE CO-CHAIR WOULD ENDEAVOUR TO TELEPHONE SOME AGENCIES SO AS TO GARNER MORE RESPONSES.
For any further comments or queries please contact:
Co-Chair
Decoursey Eversley
deversley@ftc.gov.bb
or
Sherri Worrell
sworrell@ftc.gov.bb
Copyright © 2006. All rights reserved.