CCI organizes 8th BRICS International Competition Conference

The three-day 8th BRICS International Competition Conference (BRICS ICC) 2023 is being organized by the Competition Commission of India (CCI) from 11 October 2023. The 8th BRICS ICC 2023 Summit is being organized in New Delhi from 11 to 13 October.

The Theme of the 8th BRICS ICC 2023 Summit:

• The theme of the 8th BRICS ICC 2023 Conference is 'New Issues in Competition Law and Policy – Dimensions, Perspectives, Challenges'.

Who is participating in the 8th BRICS ICC 2023 Summit?

• More than 600 representatives of competition authorities, competition law experts, non-governmental consultants and domestic invitees from BRICS and non-BRICS countries are participating in the conference.
• BRICS ICC is an important event to be held in India after a decade.

What is the objective of the 8th BRICS ICC 2023 conference?

• According to CCI Chairperson Ravneet Kaur the aim is to discuss various emerging issues and challenges in competition enforcement and to take forward the agenda of cooperation among BRICS competition authorities.

Opening and closing of the 8th BRICS ICC 2023 Summit:

• CCI chairperson Ravneet Kaur said that a joint report on the softening program and digital economy will be issued and discussed.
• Ravneet Kaur informed that National Company Law Appellate Tribunal (NCLAT) Chairman Justice Ashok Bhushan will deliver the keynote address at the inaugural ceremony of the BRICS ICC on October 12.
• The heads of BRICS competition authorities will address the closing ceremony on 13 October and sign a joint statement.

Promoting mutual understanding:

• Held biennially by the BRICS Competition Authorities, the Conference provides a platform to promote cooperation, experience sharing and mutual understanding among the competition authorities of the BRICS countries.

• The 8th edition of the conference will include three plenary sessions and four breakout sessions on the following topics:

  • BRICS Joint Document (Softening Program and Digital Economy Report).
  • New Issues in Competition Law and Policy in BRICS Countries.
  • To promote soft law tools to create a competitive environment in the markets.
  • Competitive Analysis in the Digital Economy: Big Technologies and Algorithms.
  • Sustainability and Climate Change: New Dimensions in Competition Law.
  • The role of market studies in emerging competitive issues.
  • Challenges in Merger Control: International Perspectives.

Competition Commission of India (CCI):

• CCI is a statutory body of the Government of India responsible for the enforcement of the Competition Act, 2002.
• CCI was formally constituted in March 2009.
• On the recommendation of the Raghavan Committee, the Monopoly and Restrictive Trade Practices Act, 1969 was repealed and replaced by the Competition Act, 2002.
• The main objective of CCI is to create a strong competitive environment in the country.
• Structure of CCI:
  • The Commission consists of a total of seven members including a Chairman and six members. They are appointed by the Central Government. Its Chairman and other members are whole-time members.
  • The Commission is a quasi-judicial body that advises statutory authorities and also adjudicates other matters.
• CCI Chairperson: Ravneet Kaur