COMPETITION AUTHORITIES OF THE BRICS COUNTRIES AGREED ON A WORK PLAN IN THE CONTEXT OF PANDEMIC

On May 27, an extraordinary meeting of the heads of International Departments of the BRICS antimonopoly agencies was held by videoconference, in which Lesya Davydova, Head of the Department for International Economic Cooperation of the FAS Russia participated.

During the meeting, the parties discussed the impact of the new coronavirus infection on the markets of the countries of the Association, as well as measures taken by antimonopoly regulators to maintain a healthful competitive environment in the markets affected by the pandemic.

"At the meeting, the FAS Russia took the initiative to prepare a Joint statement of the heads of BRICS antimonopoly authorities on cooperation in the context of a pandemic. Competition agencies of the Association supported the initiative," told Lesya Davydova.

A separate issue on the meeting's agenda was a discussion of the initiative of the FAS Russia to hold a meeting of the heads of BRICS antimonopoly agencies through videoconference in late June - early July.

The parties discussed in detail the draft agenda of the upcoming high-level meeting, in which they agreed to include key issues of five-party interaction. In particular, on the proposal of the FAS Russia it was agreed to add to the agenda an issue on the extension of the Memorandum of Understanding on cooperation in the field of competition law and policy of the BRICS countries, as well as the adoption of a BRICS Model guidelines for applying a waiver (waiver of confidentiality) in approving global economic concentration transactions. Besides, the approval of the action Plan of the BRICS International Center for competition law and policy was included in the agenda, as well as the development of a joint position of BRICS competition agencies on issues discussed at international platforms such as UNCTAD and OECD.