Virtual Workshop Addressing Competition Challenges in the Digital Economy

Date: March 8-10, 2023

In a bid to tackle the pressing competition issues arising in the ever-evolving digital economy, the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) and the OECD/Korea Policy Centre (KPC) jointly conducted a three-day virtual workshop titled "Digital Platform Markets: Market Power in Digital Economy and Competition Policy." Running from March 8 to March 10, 2023, the event brought together global experts to deliberate on the complexities faced by the digital markets.

Day 1 - Wednesday, March 8, 2023:

The workshop commenced with warm welcoming remarks from Mr. Ruben Maximiano, the Senior Competition Expert and Regional Manager at the OECD, and Mr. Jungwon Song, Director General of the OECD/KPC Competition Programme. These introductory remarks laid the groundwork for in-depth discussions concerning competition challenges in the digital landscape.

Mr. Ruben Maximiano and Mr. Gaetano Lapenta from the OECD delivered an illuminating overview of the competition issues prevailing in the digital economy. Their insights shed light on the intricate dynamics governing digital markets.

Subsequently, Ms. Martina Prosperetti and Mr. Marco Wasowski, Assistant Directors of Economics at the UK's Competition and Markets Authority (CMA), took center stage to present on the crucial topic of measuring market power in the digital economy. Attendees gained valuable insights into the methodologies employed to gauge the influence wielded by dominant players within these markets.

Mr. Koh Hong Kai from the Competition and Consumer Commission of Singapore (CCCS) took the floor to share regional practices. His presentation offered unique perspectives on how Singapore deals with competition issues in the digital realm.

Day 2 - Thursday, March 9, 2023:

On the second day, the spotlight was on Ms. Anna Barker, a Competition Expert from the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC), who delved into the intricacies of competition within the digital advertising market. Her presentation highlighted potential anti-competitive practices in this rapidly growing sector.

Returning to the podium, Mr. Ruben Maximiano explored abuse of dominance cases in digital markets, offering further insights into how competition authorities address potential instances of market abuses.

Mr. Jun Heon Lee captivated the audience with his presentation on abuse of dominance in digital markets in Korea, providing valuable lessons from Korea's approach to regulating digital platforms.

Day 3 - Friday, March 10, 2023:

The final day of the workshop featured Mr. João Vareda, Deputy Head of Unit C.3 – Antitrust IT, Internet, and Consumer electronics at the European Union (EU) Directorate-General for Competition. His session centered on the landmark Google Android case, showcasing the EU's efforts to confront competition challenges posed by major tech companies.

Shri Sachin Goyal, Joint Director (FA) from the Competition Commission of India (CCI), offered significant perspectives on abuse of dominance practices in the Indian digital market.

The workshop also included a session on creating a Digital Unit and its main functions at the UK's Competition and Markets Authority (CMA), presented by Ms. Victoria Mason, Mr. Aaron Khan, and Ms. Soo Yun Chai. This segment provided a glimpse into how competition authorities adapt to the rapidly changing digital landscape.

The workshop's conclusion featured closing remarks from Mr. Ruben Maximiano and Mr. Jungwon Song, expressing gratitude for the constructive dialogue and dedication to resolving competition challenges in the fast-paced digital economy.

The OECD workshop served as an important platform for international collaboration and knowledge-sharing, furthering the development of effective competition policies to ensure fair and competitive digital markets.