back to top

Introduction 

Brief information about competition policy work in the WTO
Links to the section on competition policy in the WTO Guide “Understanding the WTO?

back to top

Working Group on the Interaction between Trade and Competition Policy (WGTCP) 

As a result of the Ministerial Conference in Singapore (1996), the Working Group on the Interaction between Trade and Competition Policy (WGTCP) was established to study various aspects of this issue, with the participation of all WTO Members.

Under the Doha Ministerial Declaration (2001), the study work within the Working Group was focusing on the clarification of:

- core principles, including transparency, non-discrimination and procedural fairness

- provisions on hardcore cartels;

- modalities for voluntary cooperation; and

- support for progressive reinforcement of competition institutions in developing countries through capacity building.

The Working Group is currently inactive but the WTO Secretariat continues to respond to national requests for technical assistance in this area for the benefit of interested WTO Members and countries seeking accession to the WTO.

back to top

Documents of the Working Group 

• Documents page

back to top

History, Mandates and Decisions 

• Singapore Ministerial Conference (1996)
• Doha Ministerial Conference (2001)
• Cancún Ministerial Conference (2003)
• The “July Decision?(2004)

back to top

Technical Assistance in regard to Trade and Competition Policy 

Technical Assistance activities include symposia, regional and national workshops, sometimes undertaken in co-operation with other multilateral agencies.

back to top

Publications

Selected publications on competition policy include official and academic contributions.

back to top

Links 

• Intenational Organizations and Entities
• Non-governmental organizations