Publication: The Markets and Competition Policy Assessment Toolkit

Excerpt:  “The toolkit addresses the development community’s historically narrow focus on the enactment of competition laws as the primary tool for promoting competition. While important, competition laws are only one element of the broader policy toolbox. Many challenges in developing countries arise from distortions caused by unintended consequences of government intervention in markets. Additionally, it is clear that numerous government bodies—ranging from sector regulators and line ministries to agencies supporting innovation and small and medium enterprises—design policies that impact market dynamics. Their actions and policy interactions significantly influence market outcomes and development results. The toolkit provides a method to analyze this complex ecosystem of institutions, enabling policymakers and stakeholders to identify, assess, and improve policies and interventions that enhance market functioning or foster market creation. It also supports the capacity-building efforts of market institutions and strengthens their ability to implement effective policies.”