Amongst other regional organisations, the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) stands out for the diversity of its ten Member States, stemming from their respective economic and political heritage, governance systems, legal institutions, stages of economic development, and exposure to or reliance on foreign trade and investments. As of 2017, however, the regional bloc has formalised its focus on economic integration and development of a regional competition law. Challenging this vision are the States’ very different national competition law systems, ongoing problems with governmental intervention in the economy, and lack of effective and efficient corruption-free regulatory and juridical infrastructure. This book, the first detailed analysis of competition law in the ASEAN countries, looks at the prospects of implementation for the regional law and compares the existing systems in each Member State. Opening with a thorough description of the composition and organisation of the ASEAN, the analysis proceeds to an in-depth evaluation of such aspects as the following: – persistence of the ASEAN’s traditional mode of dispute resolution, often referred to as the ASEAN Way; – economic challenges posed by intra-regional growth and globalisation; – the strong relationship between the business and government sectors; and – governmental interventions as cultural practices. There is detailed reference throughout to case law, legislation, institutional announcements, relevant treaties, and literature on both the ASEAN and competition law. As an important critical analysis of this major new regional competition law regime, this book will be welcomed by competition law practitioners, multinational corporation counsel, and jurists, officials, and academics in a variety of legal fields. Although the subject is specifically the ASEAN, the analysis contributes to a better understanding of competition law regimes in developing economies and to the more general literature on global competition law.

Examines regional competition policy developments in South East Asia, exploring a broad range of related issues from diverse perspectives.

This timely Research Handbook provides a comprehensive overview and discussion of the substantive competition law provisions of the ASEAN Plus Three region, including Hong Kong and Taiwan. Taking a unique comparative perspective, chapters examine Asian competition laws in relation to the existing laws that served as models for them, analysing how and why they deviate.

This book is important from the public policy and foreign investment points of view and should be read by all who need to understand the competitive policies in the ASEAN Countries. As the author has rightly pointed out, the narrow capitalistic model to maximize profits even at the expense of income distribution, has been modified in ASEAN countries, to take into account the need for equity and distributive justice. The socio economic strategy has been essential, to pomote political stability, without which there cannot be economic growth and development. The book argues impressively that competition policy cannot be unfettered, but has to be efficiently and compassionately managed, to ensure balanced business and steady socioeconomic development. Competitive policies have to follow the best interests of developing economies and not just the pressures and preferences of the capitalistic competitive policies of the highly developed industrial countries, that often ignore the different priorities of developing countries.

'This is a very timely book which provides an unprecedented analysis of the factors which have shaped the competition law systems of ten Asian countries and Australia. The comprehensive discussion from varying viewpoints against the backdrop of the significantly different environments within which the respective regimes have developed creates a framework for the comparative assessment of competition law systems elsewhere in the world.' Lutz-Christian Wolff, The Chinese University of Hong Kong 'New competition laws have been adopted throughout Asia in recent years, and some of the older laws have been significantly strengthened. This makes Asia a fascinating region in which to look at the political and economic circumstances of the countries in which such laws are to be found, and to consider the very different conditions that exist within them. This book will be an invaluable guide to anyone with an interest in the developing competition law regimes of this immensely important part of the world.' Richard Whish, King's College London, UK This detailed book describes and analyses the essential political economy features that provide the backdrop to the competition policies and competition law regimes of several of the most important Asian economies. The book also discusses the impact of these political economy influences in determining whether the adopted competition policy is effective. Each of the authors experts in their respective countries offer specific insights into the nature and structure of their competition regimes and discuss to what extent the varied political economy factors unique to that country help to determine whether and to what extent the established system promotes or hinders economic competition in that jurisdiction. Comprising wide coverage of Asian jurisdictions, including Australia, this book will strongly appeal to students and academics of law, politics, economics and economic development, policy makers in national governments, international agencies and competition authorities, as well as practicing competition lawyers and in-house counsel.

This edited collection draws together papers on competition policy that were presented at the twenty-eighth conference of the Pacific Area Forum on Trade and Development (PAFTAD), held in Manila on 16th to 18th September 2002.