The country research reports of a two-year project ‘Strengthening Constituencies for Effective Competition Regimes in Select West African Countries (also referred to as 7Up4 project) that CUTS has implemented in seven countries of West Africa is published in two volumes. The English volume contains the
TV, a mass medium of video content consumption, has played a pivotal role in empowering its consumers with information, education and entertainment. A nation-wide survey of over 10,000 TV consumers conducted by CUTS International and Broadband India Forum (BIF), highlighted consumer concerns about the status quo and gathered insights
The study explores the potential of decarbonisation last-mile connectivity on the local economy and livelihood opportunities. This includes gender and skill inclusivity, reduced environmental pollution, and standard of living from a ‘just transition’ point of view. The overarching aim was to explore the connectivity practices in two Tier 1
Ease of Doing Business in India has been picking pace with the government-led and industrysought initiatives of decriminalisation, reducing compliance burdens, developing public infrastructure, removing regulatory uncertainty etc. This study takes a deep dive into these initiatives, among others, from the perspective of Ease of Doing
The Transboundary landscapes (TBLs) of the Hindu Kush Himalaya (HKH) shares ecological, cultural and socioeconomic characteristics across the transcending international borders of the member countries. People living in these fragile ecosystems mainly depend on farming, fishing, nature-based products, handicrafts, and tourism for their livelihoods. They
The Indian economy is in a dichotomous phase where the share of private consumption in the GDP is at a phenomenal high of approximately 60 percent. However, the workforce which significantly contributes to the demand for private consumption largely remains characterised by low incomes and negligible social security. In
The role and significance of data have evolved over the years for industries and countries alike.The advent of ever-changing technologies, has transformed businesses operations, processes, contribution to global data value chains and participation in international trade. This report is an enlightening resource in informing the discussion about the impact of
The study recommended that to facilitate Cross-Border Electricity Trade (CBET) in the region, governments should promote bilateral/regional agreements and treaties which promote equitable benefits. Moreover, such treaties must safeguard political interest not just at the national or regional level but also at the local level. Such policies backed
Many implementers and manufacturers in India have advocated for the need to regulate licencing of the underlying patented technology of the standard, which takes the form of Standard Essential Patents (SEPs). The primary concern is that after the standard has been set through the collaborative process, licencing of
This report was undertaken with the aim of exploring possible causes of high prices of subsidised fertilisers in the country. The study was carried out with the sole aim to investigate if any anticompetitive practices are prevailing at the porthandling and inland transportation of fertilisers as well as
This study undertook Regulatory Impact Assessment (RIA) on few of the critical issues in the insurance sector including investments in the sector, expenditures by insurance companies and lastly retention of customers which has been a major challenge. The regulatory architecture of a nation also plays a major role
In September 2015, countries adopted the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development along with a set of 17 ëgoalsí referred to as Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to end poverty, protect the planet, and ensure prosperity for all. World leaders agreed to develop structured national action plans to achieve these
Public procurement refers to the purchase by governments and state-owned enterprises (SoEs) of goods, services and works. Public procurement is estimated to account for between 10 and 15 percent of gross domestic product (GDP) and is one of the biggest areas of spending by a government. In Zambia,
The goal of this paper was to undertake case review of national strategic grain reserve institutions in the sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) region to provide evidence-based practices of good policy interventions that have been undertaken with minimum market distortionary effects on maize (staple food) markets. Specifically, it aimed to conduct
The report provides an analysis of the current urban public transport system focussing on intra-city transport in Zambia, Lusaka in particular. The report uses some of the data from the Competition Reforms in Key Markets for Enhancing Social and Economic Welfare (CREW) project to describe the status quo
Ghanaís domestic maize trade is largely dependent on a network of private women traders who dominate the local and regional markets while larger groups of wholesalers engage in spatial arbitrage across regions/districts. These women traders are referred to as ëMarket Queensí (MQs). The study presents analysis of liberalisation
This report investigates and provides an understanding of Food Reserve Agencyís (FRA) pricing mechanisms in the maize market in Zambia by assessing FRAís rationale for setting the maize floor price; the price determination process; and the floor price effect in maize markets in the country. Analysis reveal that
This report attempts to study the implications of recent agricultural reforms on small and marginal farmers and relevant stakeholders in a specific location in Bihar (Muzaffarpur district), as per the advice of local experts. The report attempts to extract certain measures that can help farmers increase their income
The India Competition and Regulation Report (ICRR 2015) is a compendium of policy research on the status of competition and regulation in India spanning across sectoral and institutional dimensions. This volume is fifth in the series of biennial reports, since 2007. The fifth ICRR Report is timely as
This is fourth and latest report in the series of biennial reports that cover the state of competition and regulation in select economic and social sectors in India. This report focusses on private sector-led finance and healthcare, and the public sectorled railways and coal sectors, in addition to dealing with the
The CUTS research paper brings to light numerous instances of competition distortions induced by government policies in India with a view to devise a framework that would assess the policies on the touchstone of their impact on competition and take steps to minimise their anti-competitive
This report is an assessment of ‘7Up projects’ on competition law and policy issues undertaken in developing countries of Asia and Africa by CUTS over the period 2000-2010 aimed at empowering national stakeholders to stimulate the process of national competition reforms. Altogether 7Up projects have
After several decades of quiescence, global commodity prices almost doubled in 2008 and, after a brief fall, rose again in 2011. Over the longer term, the impact of population growth on demand, and of climate change on supply, makes it likely that commodity prices will
In order to develop a deeper idea (and a subsequent initiative on competition and consumer protection issues) CUTS undertook a needs assessment mission in seven countries of the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region (namely Algeria, Egypt, Morocco, Tunisia, Jordan, Lebanon and Syria). The
The book covers case studies of nine countries of differing sizes and at varying stages of economic development that have at one stage or another repealed extant competition laws for new ones, and seeks to examine the motivations and contexts under which this was done.
A number of state governments claim to be providing medicines for free to consumers getting treated in public healthcare institutions. So, why is it that they still have to buy drugs from private sources? CUTS has endeavoured to find answers to this in the project
The report reviews the status of consumer participation in the regulatory reform process in the project countries. It concludes that most of the consumers are not satisfied with the existing complaint redressal mechanism as well as the quality of service available to them. Moreover, there
For the Indian economy to achieve and sustain a high growth rate, creation of quality infrastructure is critical. It is estimated that India needs more than a trillion dollars of investment in infrastructure. This Report focuses on how such a regime can be developed by
Competition is a process of economic rivalry between market players to attract customers. Fair competition benefits consumers and the economy. This paper aims at generating awareness that could be helpful for a common person to identify anti-competitive practices in the market place and seek action
This volume, second in the series, published under the ‘Competition, Regulation and Development Research Forum’ (CDRF) project is compilation of nine papers which were presented at the symposium marking the culmination of the research efforts of the 1st research cycle of CDRF. The research papers
This volume, second in the series published under the project, “India Competition and Regulation Report – ICRR project”, explores issues relating to sector regulation pertaining to power, ports, higher education, agricultural markets and civil aviation besides dealing with the issue of ‘quality of regulation’. The
The research volume has been published under project, “India Competition and Regulation Report – ICRR project”. The report takes stock of the progress on the competition scenario in India and offers an insight on where we are and where we need to go. As part
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