At the invitation of Mr. Michael Galicia Aguinaldo, Chairperson of the Philippine Competition Commission (PCC), His Excellency PAN Sorasak, Minister of Commerce and Chairman of the Cambodia Competition Commission (CCC) has led the members of CCC and senior officials of the Secretariat—Consumer Protection Competition and Fraud Repression Directorate-General (CCF)—to attend a two-day study visit to the PCC office in Quezon City, Philippines on 23-24 March 2023. With the support of GIZ COMPETE II, the study visit aims to assist the CCC in acquiring better understanding of the institutional set-up and best practices of PCC, particularly on the competition law enforcement and enhancement of the bilateral cooperation between the CCC/CCF and the PCC.

At the outset of the welcoming remarks, H.E. Pan Sorasak joined the participants to congratulate Mr. Michael Galicia Aguinaldo on his recent appointment as a Chairperson of the PCC. Simultaneously, H.E. Pan Sorasak also highlighted the challenges in a nascent stage of enforcement in building up the credibility, the benefits of turning to the best practices through the employment of “ASEAN Helps ASEAN” approach, the elements contributing to the robust competition regime etc.

During the two-day visit, the delegations of CCC and CCF had the opportunity to learn on number of key issues and themes delivered by the Commissioners and Directors of Relevant Offices of PCC, including: (1). The Overview of Competition Regime of the Republic of the Philippines, (2). PCC Organizational Structure and Functions, (3). PCC Set-up Experience and Enforcement Strategic Planning, (4). Roadmap on the Establishment of National Competition Policy, (5). Advocacy and Engaging Stakeholders, (6). PCC Procedures on Competition Enforcement, Adjudication, and Business Combinations.

Following the sessions, H.E. PAN Sorasak expressed his deep appreciation to all relevant PCC officials for their significant contribution to the development of Cambodia’s competition regime, particularly in addressing capacity building gaps to ensure ASEAN competition authorities develop the skills and competencies required to be able to effectively enforce the law as envisioned under Strategic Goal 2 of ASEAN Competition Action Plan (ACAP 2025). Meanwhile, the two Chairmen had a candid and productive discussion on ways and means to further deepen and broaden the cooperation between the two institutions for the mutual interests as well as to achieve regional convergence.