Competition law officials, energy regulators discuss competition issues

JAKARTA, 5 December 2019 – Competition law officials and energy regulators from ASEAN, Australia and New Zealand met in Jakarta on 4-5 December to discuss competition-related issues within the energy sector.

The workshop provided participants an opportunity to develop their understanding of current competition-related issues and challenges facing the energy sector in Southeast Asia through a series of presentations, moderated panel discussions, and facilitated break-out sessions.

The Chair of ASEAN Expert Group on Competition Iskandar Ismail said, “the workshop certainly achieved its objectives in promoting dialogue amongst the regional competition agencies and energy regulators, thus strengthening the interface between competition policy issues and energy regulation matters. This commendable effort should continue for the benefit of the regional economies and consumers.’’

Strengthening the relationship between ASEAN competition and energy regulators will enable participants to explore potential models and approaches for institutional cooperation.

Commissioner of the Philippines Energy Regulatory Commission Catherine Maceda noted, “electricity sector reform is a key part of every economy’s development strategies. The participants in the workshop represented a diverse range of experiences which provide a rich reservoir of insights, knowledge and networks from which every economy can learn and benefit from.’’

‘’The Workshop generated perspectives that jurisdictions value consumer empowerment through better competition, in ways that it widens choices and reasonable electricity prices for our consumers. Getting energy and competition regulators together in one workshop is an important step towards achieving greater complementarity in policies and rules, thus eliminating the “push-pull” effect of inconsistent policies,’’ she added.

Organised and delivered by the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission and Australian Energy Regulator, with support from the ASEAN Secretariat, the workshop is part of the multi-phase Competition Law Implementation Program (CLIP) under the ASEAN-Australia-New Zealand Free Trade Area Economic Cooperation Support Program.

Currently in its third phase, CLIP focuses on supporting ASEAN competition agencies in building knowledge and practical expertise in the region to share resources, skills and techniques.