Cambodia Competition Committee (CCC) and Philippine Competition Commission (PCC) have been committed to further strengthening and expanding their cooperation for mutual interests as well as to achieving regional convergence.
The commitment was highlighted during the recent study visit of a delegation of CCC and Consumer Protection Competition and Fraud Repression Directorate-General (CCF), led by H.E. Pan Sorasak, Minister of Commerce and CCC Chairman, to the PCC office in Quezon city, the Philippines, at the invitation of Chairperson of PCC Mr. Michael Galicia Aguinaldo.
Supported by GIZ COMPETE II, the visit aimed to assist the CCC in acquiring a better understanding of the institutional set-up and best practices of PCC, particularly on the competition law enforcement and enhancement of the bilateral cooperation between the CCC/CCF and the PCC, said a joint press release issued after the two-day visit.
In the beginning of the welcoming remarks, it pointed out, H.E. PAN Sorasak congratulated Mr. Michael Galicia Aguinaldo on his new appointment as a Chairperson of the PCC. Simultaneously, H.E. Pan Sorasak also highlighted the challenges in a nascent stage of regulation enforcement in building up credibility, the benefits of turning to the best practices through the implementation of the “ASEAN Helps ASEAN” approach, as well as the elements contributing to the robust competition regime etc.
During the visit, the delegations of CCC and CCF had the opportunity to learn about a number of key issues and themes delivered by the Commissioners and Directors of the Offices of PCC, including (1). The Overview of Competition Regime of the Republic of the Philippines, (2). PCC Organisational Structure and Functions, (3). PCC Set-up Experience and Enforcement Strategic Planning, (4). Roadmap on the Establishment of National Competition Policy, (5). Advocacy and Engaging Stakeholders, (6). PCC Procedures on Competition Enforcement, Adjudication, and Business Combinations, the same source added.
According to the joint press release, after the meeting, H.E. Pan Sorasak expressed his deep gratitude to all relevant PCC officials for their significant contribution to the development of Cambodia’s competition regime, particularly in addressing capacity-building gaps to ensure ASEAN competition institutions can develop the skills and competencies needed to make law enforcement more effective in line with the Strategic Goal 2 of ASEAN Competition Action Plan (ACAP 2025).
Meanwhile, the two Chairmen had a candid and productive discussion on strategies and ways to further strengthen and expand the cooperation between the two institutions for mutual interests as well as to achieve regional convergence.
