4th annual competition and economic regulation (acer) week
 

VENUE: Johannesburg, South Africa

16 - 20 july 2018

The National Energy Regulator of South Africa, the Competition Commission South Africa and the University of Johannesburg’s Centre for Competition, Regulation and Economic Development are honoured to host the 4th Annual Competition and Economic Regulation (ACER) Week, Southern Africa. ACER provides a valuable platform for competition authorities and regulators to share knowledge, keep abreast of key developments across the region, and build networks for collaboration between agencies. ACER week combines targeted courses from 16-18 July 2018, and a conference on 19 & 20 July 2018.

The Professional Training Programmes (PTPs), which run from 16-18 July 2018 at the Holiday Inn Sandton - Rivonia Road, will cover the key theoretical underpinnings in an accessible way with illustrations as to how the theories are applied in practice:

1. Key economic and legal principles for economic regulation
This PTP covers the core principles and key concepts of economic regulation, as well as highlighting the interface between competition and economic regulation. The programme will include a detailed treatment of the appropriate tests, evidence and assessment needed to analyse specific competition and regulatory matters.

2. Competition policy and economic regulation for industrial development in Southern Africa
This new PTP will address competition policy and regulation in the context of industrial development, a first in African countries. The programme draws on the theory and empirical evidence from the growing body of research on regional value chains, barriers to entry and competition, industrial policy and inclusive economic development.

3. Advanced economic analysis for competition enforcement
This PTP is targeted at experienced competition economists from authorities, regulators, public and private sector firms and private practice, this intensive PTP will cover the latest developments in economic theory and their application to the analysis of competition cases.

The conference, 19 & 20 July 2018 at the Industrial Development Corporation - Sandton, seeks to address issues of direct interest to competition authorities, economic regulators and industrial policy practitioners in Southern Africa (SADC countries).

Key note speakers identified thus far include Dr Javier Tapia (Judge at the Competition Tribunal of the Republic of Chile) and Prof Simon Roberts (Professor at the University of Johannesburg and Executive Director at CCRED). Head of competition authorities and regulators are also expected to give insights. 

The final conference programme can be found here.