Strengthening Constituencies for Effective Competition Regimes in Select Countries of West Africa (7Up4 Project) Operational Strategy Rijit Sengupta CUTS International 20 June 2008

Project Activities  Groundwork: Preparation, Partnerships, Launch Meeting,  Research: Analysis of the state of competition in project countries (legal, policy and practice)  Specific Research Areas: political economy constraints, natural monopolies, agriculture markets, national Vs regional competition legislation, competition perception analysis  Research Outputs: PCP, CRR, Perception assessment  Advocacy and Dialogues: NRG meetings (periodical, output oriented)  Trainings: National and Regional  Outreach: Information dissemination within countries, region, international level (articles, e-newsletter, postings, representations, networking)

Sequence of Activities Phase(s)Main ActivitiesPeriod (Months) Preparatory Phase  Preparation of Operational Strategy Note (OSN)  Identifying the Project Advisory Committee (PAC)  Preparation of draft Preliminary Country Papers (PCPs)  Launch Meeting June to August, 2008 Research Phase  Finalisation of Preliminary Country Papers (PCPs)  Preparation of the draft Country Research Report (CRRs)  NRG Meetings I (one in each country) September 2008 to May 2009 Research Phase (contd.)  Analysis of political economy constraints in implementing competition regimes  Assessment of natural monopolies and their implication on competition vis-à-vis economic development and consumer welfare  Field work including perception surveys  Competition issues in 2-3 agriculture products market and impact on welfare, poverty and/or growth  Finalisation of Country Research Reports (CRRs)  Interim Review Meeting June to November 2009 National Dialogues  NRG Meetings II (one in each country)  NRG Meetings III (one in each country) August 2009 to March 2010 Training Workshops  Regional Training workshop (Anglophone region)  Regional Training workshop (Francophone region)  National Training Workshops (one in each country) November 2009 to March 2010 Information dissemination  Quarterly E-newsletter  Dissemination of reports and other project outputs Throughout the project

Role of Partners RESEARCH  Country-level Research - Preparation of the PCP, CRR  CRR: Detailed assessment of the state of competition in the country, covering: - Social and Economic policies affecting competition - Political Economy Constraints - Nature of Market Competition - Sectoral Policies (and institutions) and Competition - Competition in select agro-products market - Natural Monopolies and Competition - National Vs Regional Competition Legislation - Competition Perception Assessment

Role of Partners DIALOGUES and ADVOCACY  Establish National Reference Group, NRG (comprising of relevant stakeholders)  Maintain continuous contact and hold periodic meetings of NRG members - NRG-I: Introduction to project + Discuss PCP findings - NRG-II: Discuss the Draft CRR + Identify training needs - NRG-III: Review the project outputs and deliberate on the ‘way ahead’

Role of Partners OTHER ROLES  Send relevant news clippings, articles from the local newspapers, magazines, etc. to CUTS for the E-newsletters  Write articles on competition/regulations/consumer protection related issues: one every six months  Familiarise CUTS with project progress, periodically

Funds Allocated to Partners vis-à-vis Activities  Research: US$ 16,000 (over a period of 16 months; requiring 10days/month of  NRG Meetings: US$ 3,000/meeting (Half to One day meetings of national stakeholders; 3 meetings to be held)  NTW: US$ 18,000 (3day meeting, including the cost of participation of international resource persons, cost of venue, meals, conference package, etc.)  Advocacy & Coordination: US$ 8,000 1,000/quarter) TOTAL: US$ 51,000

Partnerships  Contract with each partner  Draft ToR has been sent to all partners: with Responsibilities and corresponding consideration  Commencement of partnership with the signing of the MoU and ToR by CUTS and individual partners

“ Beginnings are always exciting ” THANK YOU Rijit Sengupta CUTS International