The Harmonization of Competition Laws towards the ASEAN Economic Integration

Abstract

On December 31, 2015, the ASEAN Economic Community had officially been launched. The direct impact of this policy will be on the field of Competition Law which differs from one country to another. The Competition Law plays an important role in ensuring fair and equitable business practices within the ASEAN. The ASEAN has its Regional Guidelines on Competition Policy to assist its member countries to increase their awareness about fair and equitable business practices. This policy only serves as a guideline and has not been adopted as an enforceable rule. Therefore, the business competition in the domestic market involving the ASEAN member’s company is still being regulated by each ASEAN member country. This paper examines and analyzes the role of the competition law in addressing the intra-ASEAN members’ unfair business practices and the needs for the harmonization of the competition law within the ASEAN Countries as a transition to promulgate the ASEAN Competition Law.