Chamber Launches Public-Private Partnership on Competitive Markets in China

Chamber Launches Public-Private Partnership on Competitive Markets in China

Aims To Promote Pro-Competitive Regulation in China

WASHINGTON, D.C.–- The U.S. Chamber of Commerce kicked off a landmark public-private partnership today that is designed to promote government and stakeholder dialogue and cooperation on the implementation of China's Anti-Monopoly Law (AML).

Utilizing a $500,000 grant from the U.S. Trade and Development Agency (USTDA), the partnership will arrange exchanges and training in the United States and China for senior Chinese officials involved in implementation of the AML over two years.

"Our government has tremendous expertise in promoting market-led competition," said the U.S. Chamber of Commerce's Senior Director for Greater China Jeremie Waterman. "This partnership leverages this knowledge, while protecting the competitive process and consumers by helping to train China's antitrust regulators on how they can best promote competitive markets."

The program represents the first time the antitrust training of the U.S. Department of Justice, the Federal Trade Commission, the Department of Commerce, and the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative has been combined with support from the private sector led by the U.S. Chamber and the American Chamber of Commerce in China.

"Antitrust training is a top priority of the U.S. Chamber," said Sean Heather, executive director of the U.S. Chamber's Global Regulatory Cooperation Project. "We look forward to robust engagement with Chinese regulators on all aspects of AML implementation in a manner that promotes market-driven competition, non-discriminatory treatment, and consumer welfare."

The program builds upon a December 2007 commitment by the People's Republic to address U.S. concerns about implementation of the Anti-Monopoly Law and mergers and acquisitions regulations.

China passed its AML in August 2007, marking an important milestone in the establishment of a comprehensive, nationwide competition regime. The law is expected to take effect August 1, 2008. The first workshop between U.S. government and Chinese government officials will be held June 25-27, 2008.

The U.S. Chamber is the world's largest business federation representing more than 3 million businesses and organizations of every size, sector, and region.

www.uschamber.com

# # #